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Back in April 2022 the starter on the old 390 was starting to drag a bit so I bought a rebuilt from a reputable rebuilder.
Problem solved.
Back in Oct and about 2400 miles later the starter drive shattered.
I took the starter back and they rebuilt it again for me.
Feb 1st the starter would only spin nd not engage so I figured another bad drive so I bought a new one.
It sucks taking the hedders off to get the starter out. The old drive looked like new but I installed the new one any way.
The drive was stuck where it wouldn't contact the flywheel. After a little cleaning and a tiny bit of grease it looked like new.
150 miles later when I came out of the post office all it would co is click.
Starter cable and solenoid were getting hot.
So I ordered a brand new starter from rock Auto and it arrived today. BRAND NEW!
Had to take the hedder off again which is a pain in the a$$.
Its tough for this old man to lift the header while wiggling it around at the same time wrestling the starter.
Well the new starter is in and it sounds great. I just hope it lasts a really long time.
The previous owner even cut this cute little access door to the starter bolts.
Looks like a piece of an old exhaust hanger for the latch to keep it closed.
I got my auxiliary tank switching valve replaced and the tank filled with gas about 5 months ago.
The other day I thought I had better start using some of that 5 month old gas and after about 15
miles the engine started starving for gas so I switched back to the main tank.
Over the last 3000 miles I've used about 10 gallons from the aux tank and filed it back up.
It looks like the old tank that sat dry for 20 years finally has some rust and crud freeing up.
I wonder how many fuel filters and miles it will take to get all the crud out of there.
hard to see the crud in that picture in the element....are you sure the aux tank is vented properly?
Its run a lot longer than just recently. I've gone 50 plus miles without a problem a few time.
The other day maybe 10 miles before it started starving for fuel.
A little better picture. The paper element is a lot darker than is used to be.
I'll take the gas cap off and drive it and see how it runs.
Rubiranch,
I believe your starters are being cooked to death from the heat off the headers. I've killed 3 or 4 of them (on my 390 with headers) that way. And yeah, having to remove the header every time is a true PIA!!
I suggest you build a heat shield for your starter.
I built one out of a piece of galvanized tin. I bent it so it wraps around about 1/2 of the starter with about a 1/2 inch air gap between the tin guard and the starter. I haven't killed a starter since. I also make sure I turn the engine off if I plan to be not be moving the truck for more than 5 minutes..........It worked for me.
Rubiranch,
I believe your starters are being cooked to death from the heat off the headers. I've killed 3 or 4 of them (on my 390 with headers) that way. And yeah, having to remove the header every time is a true PIA!!
I suggest you build a heat shield for your starter.
I built one out of a piece of galvanized tin. I bent it so it wraps around about 1/2 of the starter with about a 1/2 inch air gap between the tin guard and the starter. I haven't killed a starter since. I also make sure I turn the engine off if I plan to be not be moving the truck for more than 5 minutes..........It worked for me.
BarnieTrk
Thank you, the hedders have only been on for a very short time.
I have some heat wrap on its way.
PMGR mini starter and you will never have to drop the header again to change a starter as you wont need to change it.
I have used https://www.robbmcperformance.com/index.html on my drag car and it is made in the USA
Yes a little bit of $$$ but again you will never need to change the starter again.
To wire that starter you just need to move the large starter cable from the factory fender mounted solenoid to the battery side cable and run a 10ga wire from the old cable stud to the trigger on the new starter.
Dave ----
Last week the old truck fired right up at -8°. The next morning I needed to move the truck before heading out to work, -5°.
The truck fired right up and the starter drive stayed engaged... GRRR. I let the engine die and when I went to restart it all I gat was a click.
I'm thinking the brand new starter bit the dust already.
When I got home from work yesterday and dug in to it I found a bad starter solenoid.
So I bought a cheap one at O'Reily. Back on the road, again.
Funny thing is I will have a new Motorcraft solenoid here tomorrow.
I had already ordered a ne solenoid and starter cable. Oh well, just a day or two late.
I will replace the cheap one with the Motorcraft.
I also got some heat wrap for the starter an some insulation for the solenoid to starter cable.
Its a lot warmer this morning, a really nice 21°. Oh how I hate scraping the windows.
PMGR mini starter and you will never have to drop the header again to change a starter as you wont need to change it.
I have used https://www.robbmcperformance.com/index.html on my drag car and it is made in the USA
Yes a little bit of $$$ but again you will never need to change the starter again.
To wire that starter you just need to move the large starter cable from the factory fender mounted solenoid to the battery side cable and run a 10ga wire from the old cable stud to the trigger on the new starter.
Dave ----
Thank you. If my new starter dies this is something that I will definitely consider.
02-13-2023, 08:22 PM
