Have headers? I need your advice

[fast.asleep]

I'm sure you noticed how close they come to the starter. I insulated mine but I don't expect it to last.


What have you done to protect it?


I heard one person replaced his starter with a "smaller one". When mine does go what model should I be looking for?

 

[Edmond]

You mean the mini starters? I think it depends on how many teeth it has. I'll try to post a Summit or Jegs link.

I hear that coated headers help in the heat distribution and may keep the starter from getting fried prematurely.

 

[fast.asleep]

You mean the mini starters? I think it depends on how many teeth it has. I'll try to post a Summit or Jegs link.

I hear that coated headers help in the heat distribution and may keep the starter from getting fried prematurely.

learn something new everyday! I didn't know that mini starters were made for my c4. I'll look at Summit or Jegs - thanks Edmond

My headers are coated in and out but it's still pretty hot down there. I was hoping someone made a heat shield of some sort that I could fab up. (I was thinking of something with a lip to catch air passing under the car and cool the starter)

 

[Edmond]

They're listed as SBC and BBC so I would imagine that they would work with our C4's.

I know someone here has a mini starter, but I can't remember who!

 

[bossvette]

Mini starters will fit any small block and you can also install a heat shield I have one on my 76

 

[Edmond]

Mini starters will fit any small block and you can also install a heat shield I have one on my 76

Boss,

I see a lot of them say that they're "high torque" starters as well. Any chance of flywheel damage?

 

[bossvette]

Boss,

I see a lot of them say that they're "high torque" starters as well. Any chance of flywheel damage?

I have never had any, but if your starter was not installed properly its possible.

 

[black_81_vette]

I use a starter from a 97 astro van with a 4.3 it fits and it works and im runnin a pretty stout 355.

 

[AdvancedAutoCC]

Boss,

I see a lot of them say that they're "high torque" starters as well. Any chance of flywheel damage?

A very real possibility with the cheaper mini starters... you have to check carefully for pinion mesh when installing them. And no two seem to be the same!

 

[Edmond]

A very real possibility with the cheaper mini starters... you have to check carefully for pinion mesh when installing them. And no two seem to be the same!

What would be a good one for fast.asleep?

 

[Mad-Mic]

non coated tpis long tubes stock starter been going strong for about a year now with no problems

 

[fast.asleep]

non coated tpis long tubes stock starter been going strong for about a year now with no problems

how's the clearance on those?

 

[Mad-Mic]

how's the clearance on those?

fit was very nice. i can install long tube headers on a L98 C4 in about 3 maybe 4 hours tops.

 

[Vettefan87]

fit was very nice. i can install long tube headers on a L98 C4 in about 3 maybe 4 hours tops.

Want to install mine when I get them? Mic just how loud is your car running open headers. I listened to your vid, but I know it will sound louder in real life. Can you give me more details?

 

[Edmond]

I think he did Rich's in that amount of time with just a pair of jack stands.

 

[rrubel]

Yup. I think the driver's side was 15 minutes and the passenger side was about 1.5 hours, mostly because of the starter. However, we didn't hook up the rest of the exhaust at that point.

How loud is Mic's? It gets your attention, but it's not obnoxious (plenty of ricers running around with louder systems). Has a good bellow at WOT, though!
[RICHR]

 

[WhalePirot]

you can also install a heat shield

This is a sheet metal shield, not a 'blanket'. The wraps (blanket) do a great job of holding in heat, while the sheet metal shields allow cooling air to get to the starter. I have a once-used blanket and Ken has at least two, if you need one .....cheap!

The mini-starters are physically smaller, due to the smaller motor. They operate through a gear set to multiply the torque; enough to crank a high compression BBC (big block Chevy), hence the term hi-torque. The flywheel tooth count is one of two, and the starter gear is chosen to match the flywheel. If the gears mesh properly, the higher (possibly) torque will only do damage if the resistance to cranking is too high; indicating a non-starter-related issue.

Wrapping and/or coating the headers will keep more heat inside the tubes, and away from the starter (and all other underhood components). I consider it foolish to not do at least one, on these cars which already have very hot underhood temperatures.

 

[nyernga]

I was hoping someone made a heat shield of some sort that I could fab up.QUOTE]

Any welding supply shop will carry a heat pad used when torching in tight areas. You can trim it to fit around the started. I used some between my exhaust and floorboard with a very noticable temp drop in the summertime. My feet no longer fry.... It withstands 1500 degree temps

Len

 

[Edmond]

Pirot,

Could he just wrap the area of the headers near the starter?

 

[WhalePirot]

Could he just wrap the area of the headers near the starter?

Yes, but why? If one is going to the expense of buying a roll, there is enough to do one side. Definitely should be done prior to header install, and I would paint the wrap for durability and protection.

Frankly, I would get coated headers and see how things go. Opinions are split on the whole wrapping issue, and my car being in a climate that is very kind to exhaust systems, probably skews my opinion towards wrapping. The wrapping with paint (2 cans) will cost over a hundred bucks; better spent on the ceramic coating.

The first set of headers, on the stock motor, was wrapped and did nothing bad to the stock starter; the wrap did not hurt the headers either after many years. The 406 generates so much more heat when I am ON IT(I suffer through it ), that heat is a huge issue.