just put headers on my 76 with a 390 and that giant starter ain't liking it too much. Won't turn over when hot. After it cools will crank.

Anybody know of a newer, smaller starter that will fit a 390? I know about the pricey ones from Summit. I know other makes can interchange certain year's stock starters. Are we Ford guys so lucky?

Thanks,
Mark

 

try ebay for cheap deals. or go to oreily's and ask them. i got mine from oriely's but i got a 302.

 

you could also try some header wraps or a heat shield to keep the heat away from the starter.

 

thanks fellas.

I'll shop around. For now I'll try to make a heat shield and see if that works. I know, for example, there is a 90 something Dodge Dakota starter that fits the old Challengers and they are only like $80. Figured if there was a similar Ford swap someone here would know.

Thanks again,
Mark

 

By the way, what's a rebel doin way up in Illinois??!! You done crossed the Mason Dixon man!!

Just kidding ya.

 

One of the old hands on the Ford-FE site "invented" an adaptor nose to allow fitting a '90s Ford ministarter to our FE's. I've got one on my highboy with Stan's headers, and it works like a charm, lots of room and no heating problems whatsoever. It's for sale thru PA-Performance for $53 plus shipping, and you provide the Ford starter and a bit of wiring. E-mail me if you want a link.
Steve

 

While it would be a very good idea to get a heat shield or header wrap, my 390 headers come VERY close to my starter, and have never had a heat-related problem with the starter.

If yours is absolutely not cranking when hot, you have a winding that is opening up and the starter won't spin.

Even if you shield this starter, that problem will come back eventually, like on a long crank and the starter gets hot on it's own. Replace it even if you DO heat-shleld it.

Again, it's a good idea to shield it, I won't argue with that, but replace that starter anyway...

 

My 2 cents.

If you have to remove the headers and install a new starter. Put a quality, guaranteed high torque mini starter. I bought a Jeg's pro starter for FE motors for about $195. I know they have good service. It has no problem turning over my 10.5:1 FE446, hot or cold. It looks good and it's position is adjustable.

 

Worth more than that, I think...

 

I agree with GTEX there
I can install my starter w/o removing the headers, but Im looking at the Jegs start also

 

Thanks for the replies.

Hey Stephen, I'd like to see that link, but I don't know how to email you. It says no email addresses allowed in the posts.

Now that Jegs starter will go in and out without removing the header? That makes it worth the money. Those lower bolts on the headers are a headache to get at. I'm sure you're all familiar.

When it has run for 20 minutes or so, it will turn over, but barely. You know, the old WHA....WHA....WHA.... Somethings definitely out of whack. If that thing has to come out, I've got to get a mini.

Thanks,
Mark

 

Honestly, I don't know if my Jegs mini starter will come out with the headers on. It certainly has a better chance than the factory starter. It aslo depends on your headers. My FPA are incredible quality, but they are pretty snug to the block o the passenger side. I think they have to be to get Tri-Ys inside the frame on that side.

you can see what I'm talking about at the bottom of this page:

http://www.thedreyerfamily.com/69f25...FPAheaders.htm

 

Ive seen a mini starter not go in/come out with a header on
But it was in a 84 mustang with a 302 with full lenth headers
But in all the other cases I've seen, it was a lot easier to come out

 

i just had to post one more time after looking at gtex's pictures.

Those are the most beautiful headers I've ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think my problem is definitely a quality issue. It's a cheapie Advanced Auto rebuilt stock starter. I'm gonna have to pay for the quality.

Thanks again.
Mark

 

You can also check www.summitracing.com for several different brands of hi-torque starters. I have been very pleased with Summits service and prices.

Jim