350 small block chevy replacement starter

[doc5339]

I have done some searching with little positive confirmation on the best replacement starter for my 350 SBC?

When the starter gets hot after prolonged engine use, the starter will not turn. My understanding is that this is a very common problem with the GM 350. Some people recommend a heat-shield or a remote starter, but I would really like a reliable bolt-on replacement starter.

The starter works every time as long as it is cool enough; the last time that it gave me trouble, I had driven on a hot day at higher RPM, the engine was very hot. I stopped to fuel-up, and "starter no worky." After waiting a while for it to cool with no joy, I placed a bag of ice on it for 2 minutes, and she started right-up.

I thought about using reflective tape or heat wrap around the solenoid/starter, and have looked at the "high-torque starters" available at Summit Racing, Amazon, and eBay.

Any recommendations would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[JohnVee]

I didn't have your problem, but I installed this last year. Look into it. You can call Mark at MAD and he's great with the advice, just takes a while to reach sometimes.

Catalog

--john

 

[doc5339]

I didn't have your problem, but I installed this last year. Look into it. You can call Mark at MAD and he's great with the advice, just takes a while to reach sometimes.

Catalog

--john

Damn that was fast! Thanks John! I take it that you are pretty happy with this Remote Solenoid setup?

 

[JohnVee]

It's caused me no problems. Maybe I got taken in by all the reading on the website, but I think it was a good idea to get the tiny wires further off the ground in a 4x4. I've been redoing the cobbled together wiring issues that accompanied the truck when I bought it last year and Mark has some fine ideas that have helped me out. Work in progress, though. I subscribed to this thread for other opinions. Good luck.

--john

 

[TxCruzr]

I had the same issue and swapped to a powermaster starter. No problems since.

 

[melvinjo]

No need for fancy starter or remote selenoid You have a condition called heat soak Ill bet $$$ your starter is old, worn and most likely has oil and grease covering the starter body All of this combined can most def cause your condition I have never seen a new or fairly new starter get heatsoak unless you are running headers that mount very close to the startr body I run headers on mine with a starter blanket, and I have yet to run into a heat soak prob on my 350 SB, 1967 FJ40

 

[doc5339]

No need for fancy starter or remote selenoid You have a condition called heat soak Ill bet $$$ your starter is old, worn and most likely has oil and grease covering the starter body All of this combined can most def cause your condition I have never seen a new or fairly new starter get heatsoak unless you are running headers that mount very close to the startr body I run headers on mine with a starter blanket, and I have yet to run into a heat soak prob on my 350 SB, 1967 FJ40

The starter is probably pretty old, and is definitely close to the headers, but there is no oil on the Starter/Solenoid. So I guess that I should search for a "Starter Blanket," which sound like the same principle as just a heat-shield?

 

[terrx]

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember some older chevy's that came stock with rams horns (60's, 70's ?) had a sheet metal shield mounted near the starter to deflect heat. Also some later 5.7L engines came stock with a PMGR starter and you can sometimes find them in junk yards at a good price. They're smaller than the old style. The extra clearance between it and the exhaust manifold helps with heat too. That's what I have on mine with no shielding and it works fine (so far).

 

[melvinjo]

You are correct heat: Heat blanket looks just like a metallic coated blanket that wraps around the starter: There also heat sheilds, that is a thin metal sheild that bolts on, and sheiled form the heat of the headers

Im a big summit fan: They do have blankets: THE 14150 and SUM 350118

Id use the SUM brand as it has velcro attaching points and is easier to secure

 

[cruiserjunkie]

Mine did that so i got a new one which worked for 8 or 9 years and started to do it again so I got a new one which fixed it. Been using this one for about 3 years I have the heat shield but have never installed it so maybe that would fix it but I'm not complaining if I go 8 years on a starter

 

[camcruiser13]

got me a cheapo autozone lifetime warranty one, never had any issues with it

 

[doc5339]

You are correct heat: Heat blanket looks just like a metallic coated blanket that wraps around the starter: There also heat sheilds, that is a thin metal sheild that bolts on, and sheiled form the heat of the headers

Im a big summit fan: They do have blankets: THE 14150 and SUM 350118

Id use the SUM brand as it has velcro attaching points and is easier to secure

I just ordered the SUM 350118 from Summit Racing; hopefully that does the trick for it. Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[texcwa]

I used the SUM-829100 - Summit Racing® Mini High-Torque Starter and have had 0 problems with Ram Horn exhaust manifolds and no shields.

 

[doc5339]

I just installed the Summit Heat Blanket around the Solenoid and Starter. I will let you guys know how it works-out.

Thanks again for all of the GREAT input!

 

[jim land]

what bellhousing are you using ? if its a downey one you dont have much choice because it bolt to the bell and other bolt to the block

 

[pbgbottle]

if it doesn't work when it is hot i would get a new starter . i screwed around with this same thing for a few years selenoids ,rebuild kits ,brushes cleaning the grounds. the starter is probably toast . the issue is in the armature (windings damaged).or feild coil ,when it gets hot the armature or feild coil fails, .

have you ever opened up the starter?
my problem was fixed as soon as i picked up a new starter

what is the condition of you battery ?
a week battery can put stress on a starter also

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[doc5339]

Battery is brand-new and holds charge well. I have never opened-up the starter, but it's probably time for a new one.

I bought the Heat Blanket because it is a cheap short-term solution, and it should work well whenever I do bite-the-bullet and buy a new starter.