1978 k10 soleniod question???

[shipma2]

did all k10 starters have internal soleniods? cause mine has one on the inside right fender, also i think my starter is going out as i have to smack it with a tire iron when it gets warm or the igniton will just click lol. could the headers heat up the starter and cause it to malfunction? i will be replacing the starter in a couple weeks. just curious about some info on it

[tucsonjwt]

You have raised a "hot topic" on this forum. Headers cause extra heat, causing more resistance in the wiring of the starter and associated wires. The fender mounted solenoid is a remote solenoid (aftermarket only, as far as I know), which is intended to isolate the solenoid from the excessive heat of the headers.

Banging the starter indicates you may need a new starter. The remote solenoid should be effectively bypassing the stock starter mounted solenoid.

Some use heavy gauge wire from the battery to the starter to overcome excessive resistance from heat from the headers - money well spent, IMHO.

You should first check all of the connections and wires at the starter. It is possible your headers melted insulation on the wires or dried out the insulation to the point where it is flaking off. I would remove all of the wires at the starter one by one, then clean the nuts, studs, and wire ends. Be careful when tightening the nuts - you can snap off a stud easily - just snug and not moving is good enough.

I bought a GM high torque mini starter to help overcome "heat soak" from my big block. This is probably the best fix, but it is expensive. Mine was about $160 a few years back, but I think they are more like $250 now.

[sethv]

Someone must of swapped the Ford starter solenoid in your truck. I did to mine

[shipma2]

hmm i have had a sneaking sucspion that the headers have caused some issues, im not sure at all. il have to dig into the starter problem some more, it also has a 454 in it not the stock 350 so maybe for room they installed the headers a little oddly ..