Greetings big block gods!

I have a 78 F150 4x4 with a transplanted 460. Anyone that knows about this setup knows that the starter is REALLY close to the exhaust (unless you have fenderwell exit headers).

My satarter is crapping out on me and I'm going to replace it. Because of it's proximity to the exhaust, I'm thinking a mini starter would give me a little more room to fit a better heat shield in there.

Has anyone had experience with these "high torque mini starters"? Are they better than the stock starters or not worth the money?

Any comments would be appreciated.

Kevin K.

 

I run one, encircled by headers with no heat shield, and have no problems.

 

Same here...

 

Sweet!

Thanks a bunch!

Kevin K.

 

Ford makes OEM Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction starters (mini starter) for the late model efi 460. Will bolt in but some with wire mods.Should be available at your local parts store or ebay rebuilt for cheaper than aftermarket.

link for retrofit
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2001/08/ministarter/

this guy sells starters and alternators on ebay ( I have not bought from him) sometimes has 7.5 pmgr starters
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2436165821

good luck

 

efi460,

Great link. Thanks!

I'm a little confused about the wiring for that though.

As I understand it, there are going to be two wires going to the new mini-starter. The big red wire that usually comes from the switched side of the starter realy gets moved to the battery (hot) side of the relay and goes to one terminal on the mini-starter. Then a second smaller guage wire goes from the switched side of the relay to the other terminal on the mini-starter.

I'm guessing that there's another relay type device IN the mini-starter itself?

Am I close on this or totally lost?

Thanks in advance.

Kevin K.

 

I went with a 1-wire alternator and with the mini starter got rid of the solenoid and regulator on the fender. The two wires from the starter are battery (whether you use a solenoid or not, the mini starter has its own solenoid) and ignition. If you're using a solenoid, it'll be the I post for the ignition wire. If not, you can look in the wiring harness and find the ignition wire.

 

Mini, no sheild, Blown/mucho hot but no problems........