my new starter went out.... i blame the headers!

[dinnut]

i have a few month old starter on my truck. the headers are fairly close to the starter and i have not had the oppurtunity to get a heat shield on it yet. today after i washed the truck i started it up drove it around the house a bit and turned it off for a minute to go do something... came back out and starter was like kicking back and not starting so i stuck a battery booster on it and all that did was speed up the starter so i waited and went back and started it up and it started so i move it back to its parking spot and leave it running thinking the battery might be low... so after a while i turn it off. go back after while to start it up to move it somewhere else and the starter is at it again. after a few tries all it does it spin now!!!!!! im pretty pissed. the starter is a rebuilt oreilly unit.... im hoping it has some kind of warranty ill have to find receipt!!!!! the truck hasnt been driven much on the street maybe 10 miles or something since new starter but its been driven around my house quite a bit.... i think my engine is running too hot also....

now... will a heat shield stop this? seems like headers are pita. they are in the way of getting starter on and off of truck which is a pain also.... what else could it be?

[jku72]

Don't condemn the starter if you haven't let it cool down before trying it again. It may just be overheated. Now seems like a good time as any to apply a heat shield to the starter.

[MJN]

Yup, sounds like the headers are getting it too hot. I had the same problem with mine until I switched back to manifolds. A heat shield will help keep the heat away but the damage is already done to this starter, get a new one and put a heat shield on, it will last a whole lot longer. Good luck

[lewi]

dinnut, go get a heat shield. I have headers and put on an aluminum one that has two layers with a small air gap in between and haven't had any trouble since.

[lukecp]

If it is one of those $30 O'Reilly starters, they have a lifetime warranty on them. I've already gotten one back from then, after the nosecone cracked while torqing it down. Of course i know the guys that work at our O'Reilly's pretty well so they are good to me

[BurnoutNova]

yep oriely starter have great warranytys but they break alot, i had a 76 Nova, and i went through 4 starter in 5-6 mo. period

shouldnt need a recipt, if its in the computer. i never did anyway



heat shileds are good BUT, (in the 72 nova) ive never had a probleom with "heat soak" to the starter, but i have ceramic headers and dont drive in the dead heat.

[hanssolo]

Rebuilt anything from a parts store can be funky. I've always had headers and no starter problems, but may depend on header type. I lived in Houston so I know theres a summer heat factor in that area.

[beamers69]

Glad you posted this, mine doing the same thing. I thought
the starter was going out. Mine basically cranks fine cold but
once engine has been run it drags. sometimes it wont even
turn over. I'm probably gonna ditch the headers and go back
to stock exhaust when I put new motor in. Almost got it put
back together.

[Huck]

Option 2--------the starter solenoid is overheating and that is what is screwing up the cranking etc. I would opt for a new starter and a heat shield as option 1-----BUT, the better long term solution is to switch over to a "FORD" remote solenoid. It will mount on your pass inner fender and never overheat!! Then you can leave the headers doing what they do best. You can still heat shield the starter to have a double depth of starting protection!!! Hate to say it but sometimes Ford does have a "better" idea!

[my new 72]

get a mini starter. they are much smaller and they don't have the problems the stock ones do. A goo one is around $140, but you will never change it again.

[COBALT]

Originally posted by my new 72
get a mini starter. they are much smaller and they don't have the problems the stock ones do. A goo one is around $140, but you will never change it again.

I totally agree. It just makes sense. Looking at my starter now with the old manifolds (before I bought my headers) I started thinking how the heck would I keep the starter from heating up as hot as the headers once I put them in?!? After thinking about it and browsing the Summit Racing catalog I came across the mini-starters, and decided to order one just for this problem BEFORE I even bothered to put the headers in.

[diggin69]

You can also stay with the starter you have just relocate the solenoid. This will eliminate any heat issues..

Also the option of a hot shot relay......painless wireing......it boots the amprege.....to the starter.....this will crank if the starter is hot or not.......good luck with it

[Blunova]

Not to mention with the adjustment of the mini starter and mountong the starter upside down ie solenoid turned away from headers