Starter heat shield
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 469
From: Wichita Kansas
Alan:
Thanks for the reply.
There is no shield, didn't have one 25 years ago when I got it. I had starter rebuilt about 15 years ago, recently had some starting trouble. Long story short, newer battery, replaced neutral safety switch, adjusted ignition switch, checked all grounds and they were good, just sometimes after a long drive, it might not start, no noise, no nothing. Installed a remote start off the starter, it never fails if I need it. Lot's of people seem to have trouble with hot starting. I did wrap the starter with some sort of material made by DEI that was supposed to help with the heat. Didn't seem to make a difference honestly. 350 automatic '72
Thanks for the reply.
There is no shield, didn't have one 25 years ago when I got it. I had starter rebuilt about 15 years ago, recently had some starting trouble. Long story short, newer battery, replaced neutral safety switch, adjusted ignition switch, checked all grounds and they were good, just sometimes after a long drive, it might not start, no noise, no nothing. Installed a remote start off the starter, it never fails if I need it. Lot's of people seem to have trouble with hot starting. I did wrap the starter with some sort of material made by DEI that was supposed to help with the heat. Didn't seem to make a difference honestly. 350 automatic '72
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,180
Likes: 1,176
From: out of nowhere
I have heard various reports on those wrap type heat deflectors. Some say it actually locks heat in, making it worse. Some say it worked for them. I would be tempted to try and see. I’ve heard (actually read) similar results with the clamp on shields. Maybe a combination of the two? A shield with a reflective barrier around it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,711
Likes: 1,371
kansas123
I would not wrap it with anything. If you want to anything then wrap the exhaust pipes immediately outboard of the starter.... but I hate wraps on exhaust pipes also--- wasted one set of headers to nothingness..... do a "shield" instead.
I bought a heat shield from summit and tweaked and modified so it fit well and you could reach on the starter side of the shield, opposite the exhaust that I had, and it made a BIG difference. I would do a shield not a wrap.
I would not wrap it with anything. If you want to anything then wrap the exhaust pipes immediately outboard of the starter.... but I hate wraps on exhaust pipes also--- wasted one set of headers to nothingness..... do a "shield" instead.
I bought a heat shield from summit and tweaked and modified so it fit well and you could reach on the starter side of the shield, opposite the exhaust that I had, and it made a BIG difference. I would do a shield not a wrap.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2020
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From: north of Chicago
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
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Battery cables, both of em, can & do corrode after some fifty years.
They'll corrode Inside insulation and do so well away from terminals; that's cancer.
New ones are remarkably inexpensive to purchase; but that long positive cable is a bear to R&R.
Cables and chassis grounds are often at the core of cranking complaints.
If you replace old heavy OE10MT starter with modern (smaller profile, half-weight) Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction, that will usually eliminate heat soak; without further need for shield or wrap.
They'll corrode Inside insulation and do so well away from terminals; that's cancer.
New ones are remarkably inexpensive to purchase; but that long positive cable is a bear to R&R.
Cables and chassis grounds are often at the core of cranking complaints.
If you replace old heavy OE10MT starter with modern (smaller profile, half-weight) Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction, that will usually eliminate heat soak; without further need for shield or wrap.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Omaha NE
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One problem I've never had with my Vette in 49 years is hot starting.....but it's always had the factory shield..
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c3-6...bheat%2bshield
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c3-6...bheat%2bshield
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,450
Likes: 315
From: Scottsdale AZ
Heat shield with an AIR GAP. My aircraft turbocharger design friends emphasize the AIR GAP requirement. Notice on your late model car air gaps are critical. The late model stuff is covered with heat shields.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,198
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hello K123,
If you don't have the proper heat shield in place you should get one as has been mentioned. Not a big deal.
The original shield was to keep the intense heat from the exhaust manifold and head pipe away from the solenoid.
Good luck.
Regards....
If you don't have the proper heat shield in place you should get one as has been mentioned. Not a big deal.
The original shield was to keep the intense heat from the exhaust manifold and head pipe away from the solenoid.
Good luck.
Regards....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,269
Likes: 687
Maybe wouldn't won't work but on all LS engine starters they a have a tin shield that clips onto the solenoid. I also add a layer DEI insulation to the outside of the shield. The shield has a air gap between the shield and the solenoid.
Get one from a salvage yard for almost nothing money wise.
Get one from a salvage yard for almost nothing money wise.