Starter burn-out from header
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Starter burn-out from header
Next issue for the noob, and by the way, this forum is awesome.
'72 F-250 Ranger XLT Camper Special
The 390's got headers going into single exhaust (Don't blame me, that's the way I got it, and duals are on the to-do list) which wrap around the starter and has burned out 2 of them so far. Is my best option heat wrapping the headers? What's the best type/brand?
This is a serious pain as the engine needs to be lifted about 3 inches just to get the header out to even be able to get at the starter. I wouldn't mind if it was a once-every-seven-year task, but 2 in 2 years???
Anyone else have to deal with this? and what was your remedy. I'm not exactly sure of the header brand.
'72 F-250 Ranger XLT Camper Special
The 390's got headers going into single exhaust (Don't blame me, that's the way I got it, and duals are on the to-do list) which wrap around the starter and has burned out 2 of them so far. Is my best option heat wrapping the headers? What's the best type/brand?
This is a serious pain as the engine needs to be lifted about 3 inches just to get the header out to even be able to get at the starter. I wouldn't mind if it was a once-every-seven-year task, but 2 in 2 years???
Anyone else have to deal with this? and what was your remedy. I'm not exactly sure of the header brand.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Welcome to the Header Owners starter slayer club.
I have no idea of the brand name, a friend that ran a machine/parts shop that I spent money at laid one on the counter and said try this. I have heard of insulated wrap from the big box store. You need some reflective foil and a small amount of insulation wrapped and banded around the starter to keep the heat away.
You might also buy a new starter from NAPA or Carquest. I was loosing Advance Auto remans, and bought a better started and wrapped it at the same time. This has lasted longer but I only put 3,000 miles on my truck last year. I drive my Taurus truck mostly because on the better mpg, Angel breath, cruise control, etc.
There are a few of the brethren here that claim no starter problems, but they are in the minority.
John
I have no idea of the brand name, a friend that ran a machine/parts shop that I spent money at laid one on the counter and said try this. I have heard of insulated wrap from the big box store. You need some reflective foil and a small amount of insulation wrapped and banded around the starter to keep the heat away.
You might also buy a new starter from NAPA or Carquest. I was loosing Advance Auto remans, and bought a better started and wrapped it at the same time. This has lasted longer but I only put 3,000 miles on my truck last year. I drive my Taurus truck mostly because on the better mpg, Angel breath, cruise control, etc.
There are a few of the brethren here that claim no starter problems, but they are in the minority.
John
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 705
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From: stinkin lincoln, maine
I just took a coffee can and drilled some holes in the bottom and cut the side out for the wires and slid it over my starter and that helped a bunch.
I also tried header wrap, and in less than a year had holes rusted through the header tubes. If you keep your truck dry you may be fine. But I live in Maine and salted winter roads and rain and mud all kept moisture in the wrap and rotted the headers out.
I also tried header wrap, and in less than a year had holes rusted through the header tubes. If you keep your truck dry you may be fine. But I live in Maine and salted winter roads and rain and mud all kept moisture in the wrap and rotted the headers out.
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I'm in cali, so the rust through may not be an issue. I got some header wrap and some insulation pieces. Gonna give it a shot, but I swear to Christ, one more premature starter burn-out (and I never buy that auto parts reman junk) and when the duals go on, so do the stock exhaust manifolds.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 920
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From: Westminster, Colorado
There is a racing "blanket" you can get at the parts store to wrap around it(the starter)....it's slivery and has velcro the fasten it down, you cut off the excess....it's given my starter a long life in the exact same situation.
As for removal/replacement of the starter...Mine is a "highboy" 4x4 and as such has a special set of headers....I've found there is a particular way to get he starter in and out without moving the engine or headers....just puzzle like...you can wrap the blanket on the starter in place if yours is still good.
As for removal/replacement of the starter...Mine is a "highboy" 4x4 and as such has a special set of headers....I've found there is a particular way to get he starter in and out without moving the engine or headers....just puzzle like...you can wrap the blanket on the starter in place if yours is still good.
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Thanks Unimog005. I'll ask around for that type of blanket. The latest starter is about 20 starts new. You know, everyone I told about the starter issue, how little space there is, ALL wanted to take a looksee. They would say "It just can't be THAT tight!!". And then they look, their comments change to "JEEZUS CHRIST!!".
I spent an afternoon trying to snake it out and no way, no how with these whacky headers. I think part of the problem is the guy I bought it from kept the single exhaust, and it all joins together just aft of the starter. Because of that knuckle of interconnecting pipe, the header will barely budge without making some room lifting the engine. It really is a pretty bad design. I wish I had more space there.
I spent an afternoon trying to snake it out and no way, no how with these whacky headers. I think part of the problem is the guy I bought it from kept the single exhaust, and it all joins together just aft of the starter. Because of that knuckle of interconnecting pipe, the header will barely budge without making some room lifting the engine. It really is a pretty bad design. I wish I had more space there.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
For what it's worth I have to take my header off the engine to change starters. Turns a 15 minute job into hours.
John
John
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: nevada
On my '72, I had installed prob 4 starters over the yrs. header problem as you know, it had to be unbolted and sometimes even had to loosen the engine mount bolt and lift the motor a bit. So now it wears a Jegs Hi Torque mini starter with heat shield, and it will go in and out without this header BS. Sure cranks that motor nice too.
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