Starter heat shield w/header

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Jul 17, 2012 | 12:37 AM

F-250 restorer

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From: Near Los Angeles

Starter heat shield w/header

I believe it's been, iirc, almost three years since I installed the new starter. And it is giving up the ghost. This morning all I got was the dreaded 'click'.

Past starters always whined when going out, so I thought it was solenoid, and replaced it. Now sometimes it starts and sometimes it just clicks.

Does it seem correct to assume it's the starter and it needs replacing.

If so, I thought I'd make a heat shield this time, possibly clamp it to the header? Ideas? k

Jul 17, 2012 | 08:26 AM

AbandonedBronco

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From: Boise, Idaho

Sounds like an issue with the starter. When mine went out, it was 100% one day, then 0% the next.
Could you test the starter by bypassing the starter solenoid and jumping it straight from the battery?

For the heat shield, what about using the mounting bolts on the starter itself to clamp it to?

Jul 17, 2012 | 08:31 AM

1986F150six

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From: Sheffield, AL

Sometimes it is the simple things like loose or corroded connections or a faulty ground?

Jul 17, 2012 | 08:52 AM

Harte3

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From: Spokane, WA

X2 on the connections especially the grounds. Also, when cleaning up connections smear a little petroleum jelly (poor man's dielectric grease) on them to slow down the corrosion.

Jul 17, 2012 | 11:24 AM

F-250 restorer

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Thanks, guys. I'll check the connections, and hopefully that will solve the problem. Really don't look forward to pulling the int/header. I noticed Summit has a 2/3 size mini, high torque starter for $124, but since mine is (hopefully) still under warranty, I should get a replacement w/o charge. (Is it me, or do the warranties on a/parts seem to be getting shorter?)

I did notice the main lead from batt. on the solenoid was slightly loose. I imagine that was the problem.

As an add-on: I've seen heat wrap material for wrapping starters and/or headers. Is that an alternative to the metal heat shield?

Jul 17, 2012 | 01:26 PM

TheDudeAbides

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From: Kalispell, MT

don't they make insulation jackets for stuff like that? i'm all about "it's not what you buy, it's what you make..." but it might work better. just my .02

Jul 17, 2012 | 07:19 PM

willowbilly3

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From: Black Hills of SD

Whenever I buy "New" starters, they usually outlast the vehicle. Remanufactured is a different story. I also agree that you probably have some high resistance somewhere, like a bad connection. But it could also be a brush wore out or hanging up in the brush holder. You might try the old gomer trick of whacking the starter with a hammer when it happens. Not a fix but it might get you home.

Jul 17, 2012 | 10:45 PM

F-250 restorer

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Since I tightened the connections the problem has vanished. I do thank all the members who posted suggestions. I will keep them all in mind. BTW, I did see some sort of starter wrap/insulation, iirc, on Summit. I didn't know there was such a thing. k

Jul 18, 2012 | 08:23 PM

#10

fordboy300

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i Have a heat shield on my starter for the extra insurance. But my friends mechanic said you dont need one unless you cant get your finger between the starter and header but he said its good insurance that i have it on there.

Jul 18, 2012 | 08:29 PM

#11

TheDudeAbides

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From: Kalispell, MT

agreed...a few bucks now is better than a metric a$$-ton later lol. good idea fordboy.

Jul 19, 2012 | 01:10 AM

#12

dyingtolive

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From: Jacksonville, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by F-250 restorer

We (Summit Racing) do carry starter wraps/shields. We carry several of them, including DEI, Thermo-Tec, and our house brand, to name a few. Most of them are universal, if I'm not mistaken. We do carry physical shields as well, but they're all for Chebby's, though I'm not sure if one could possibly be adapted for our motors. If I go hunting through our rather expansive catalog rack(s) at work, I'm sure I could find one for our motors, if not one that could more easily be adapted to fit.