Starter Heat Soak Solutions
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Starter Heat Soak Solutions
I just installed a new starter in my 88 coupe and it's been acting up from heat soak in the hot weather we've been having. Which is the better solution, a heat shield or insulation blanket around the starter. Both look equally hard to put on so I want to make sure that I get it solved the first time around. I'd really hate to cut holes in the hood to let the heat out. Thanks in advance.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Downers Grove IL
Fixall,
I had that problem, I now use a blanket, aviallbe at your local parts store or speed shop, and I built and installed an alumimum sheild to help direct the heat from the cat's past the starter. I have no problems. I did continue to have problems when I put only the blanket on.
Also do what ever you can to keep car cool, change and flush the radiator fluids annually. I am not sure but it seams to help.
Best of luck, Polo
I had that problem, I now use a blanket, aviallbe at your local parts store or speed shop, and I built and installed an alumimum sheild to help direct the heat from the cat's past the starter. I have no problems. I did continue to have problems when I put only the blanket on.
Also do what ever you can to keep car cool, change and flush the radiator fluids annually. I am not sure but it seams to help.
Best of luck, Polo
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
An interesting question. I look forward to personal experiences. I have purchased a heat shield, for future used, because I've been concerned that on a long drive, the heat would eventually penetrate the blanket and that the blanket would slow the dissipation of the heat. This is MY speculation, with no experience.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
this problem has been around since 1955...i had a 58 vette that wouldn't hot crank in the summer (oops,my 'maturity' is showing) unless you doused the starter/solenoid with a cold beverage--what a waste of good beer that was
...had the same problem again in late 60's/early 70's, with race boats, bbc and 460 ferds(ferds use a delco solenoid) but water was readily available to splash em....chevy actually issued a tsb to help this problem (on motorhomes - what the tsb said) that used a additional Ferd solenoid mounted near to the eng/starter/solenoid, theory was something about heat/voltage drop--never made sense ,but it does work (won't bring back the spilled beer tho)
my opinion of insulation vs heat shielding, based on well over a decade of my career as an HVAC designer, leans toward a reflective shield to reduce heat trasmission from the exhaust system to the starter/solenoid in particular...a ''blanket'' insulation will only be useful for a short period before the insulation itself becomes heat-soaked, and then may be detrinental due to restriction of airflow .
...had the same problem again in late 60's/early 70's, with race boats, bbc and 460 ferds(ferds use a delco solenoid) but water was readily available to splash em....chevy actually issued a tsb to help this problem (on motorhomes - what the tsb said) that used a additional Ferd solenoid mounted near to the eng/starter/solenoid, theory was something about heat/voltage drop--never made sense ,but it does work (won't bring back the spilled beer tho)my opinion of insulation vs heat shielding, based on well over a decade of my career as an HVAC designer, leans toward a reflective shield to reduce heat trasmission from the exhaust system to the starter/solenoid in particular...a ''blanket'' insulation will only be useful for a short period before the insulation itself becomes heat-soaked, and then may be detrinental due to restriction of airflow .
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
Here just another suggestion to through in the bucket… You could look into reducing the heat from the source… For example, coated headers would reduce heat. Or you could also use thermal wrap around the manifolds and pipe. But personally, I don’t like the wrap. I’ve got my reasons…
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 4
From: Kewaskum Wisconsin
I had a heat soak problem with my 87. I even had a reflective blanket on the starter but it didn’t help the problem. I replaced the starter with a Mini-Starter and it now works flawlessly.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
By trade, I'm a diesel mechanic. The KWs I work on for a living have a nifty stainless steel heat shield that clamps to their exhaust system (5" pipe) where hoses or wiring run close by. I use one of these on my starter, attached with a large hose clamp, and it looks good and appears as if it could have been factory. 
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
Originally Posted by geezel
When I installed the headers on my 86 I had the same problem even though I wrapped the starter. Ended up installing a remote solenoid which solved the problem.
