Do heat shields work?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 17, 2011 | 09:48 AM

trainor

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 474

Likes: 0

From: Bishop CA

Do heat shields work?

In hot temps, my starter will drag and eventually turn over enough to start. Starter is new and works fine in a little cooler weather. Has anyone tried a shield and did it work.. Thanks in advance.

Sep 17, 2011 | 10:36 AM

trainor

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 474

Likes: 0

From: Bishop CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by trainor

In hot temps, my starter will drag and eventually turn over enough to start. Starter is new and works fine in a little cooler weather. Has anyone tried a shield and did it work.. Thanks in advance.

C'mon guys, someone must have tried this, Thanks

Sep 17, 2011 | 11:04 AM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 37,637

Likes: 3,118

From: Crossville TN

A sheet metal heat shield was installed by the factory on many C3 model years. Its primary purpose was to protect the starter solenoid and its wiring.

Sep 17, 2011 | 11:12 AM

KTKelly

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 1,042

Likes: 1

From: Greensboro NC

A heat shield did not work on my 69 (350/350, 4S, w/headers).

Went to a mini, hi-torque, starter and still have some drag now and then.

Next step is to clean up the existing cable connections.

Sep 17, 2011 | 12:07 PM

l88rocket

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 2,209

Likes: 0

From: Mo

wrap the starter with header wrap, there are couple companies that make blankets and wrap for starters.

Sep 17, 2011 | 12:21 PM

birdsmith

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 3,428

Likes: 5

From: Japan

Your post didn't say whether or not you have headers on your car, but I'm presuming it does. My '70 has stock exhaust with a heat shield over the starter and has no dragging issues, even when hot, and it still has the original starter in place. Some years ago I had a rather weak battery in the car and when I replaced it with a new one from Walmart the problem went away. Headers don't really radiate more heat than the stock exhaust but because of their larger physical size they place more of the heat closer to the starter. You should also check the condition of all your cables and their respective connections-one bad ground or connection can cause problems as well. The important thing when working these kinds of issues is to isolate one part of the system at a time so you don't wind up just throwing money at the problem (unless you have that kind of money!). Autozone, O'Reilly, etc. generally all have starter testers nowadays- that would be one way you could at least isolate that part of the equation. Best of luck!

Sep 17, 2011 | 12:27 PM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,316

Likes: 4,421

From: Westminster Maryland

Hi,
I agree that with the original starter and exhaust system the shield must have helped a bit; or GM would have done way with them to save a dollar and 10 seconds of build time per car.
Regards,
Alan

Sep 17, 2011 | 03:22 PM

trainor

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 474

Likes: 0

From: Bishop CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan 71

Well believe it or not I know that my battery was not in that good of shape when I bought the car a year ago. It always started good until a few days ago. I went and bought a battery with more cranking power and it works fine. Car never started so good. Thanks for all your help guys