Starter Help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Starter Help
Howdy All,
I put a set of headers on my 85 and the stock starter was to big so I bought a knock off Tilton mini starter from a local speed shop. Well know I have the dreaded heat soak problem were it wont start when its hot so I'm done with that thing! Ive seen where you can use a factory LT1 (I think) mini gear reduction starter but I need to know which one to buy.
Any help would be appreciated!!!
I put a set of headers on my 85 and the stock starter was to big so I bought a knock off Tilton mini starter from a local speed shop. Well know I have the dreaded heat soak problem were it wont start when its hot so I'm done with that thing! Ive seen where you can use a factory LT1 (I think) mini gear reduction starter but I need to know which one to buy.
Any help would be appreciated!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 120
From: AZ
Howdy All,
I put a set of headers on my 85 and the stock starter was to big so I bought a knock off Tilton mini starter from a local speed shop. Well know I have the dreaded heat soak problem were it wont start when its hot so I'm done with that thing! Ive seen where you can use a factory LT1 (I think) mini gear reduction starter but I need to know which one to buy.
Any help would be appreciated!!!
I put a set of headers on my 85 and the stock starter was to big so I bought a knock off Tilton mini starter from a local speed shop. Well know I have the dreaded heat soak problem were it wont start when its hot so I'm done with that thing! Ive seen where you can use a factory LT1 (I think) mini gear reduction starter but I need to know which one to buy.
Any help would be appreciated!!!
Having had the same issue, I will tell you NOT to try a starter blanket but a shield may solve the problem. Agreeing with HR Roy, from our convo two days ago, you want air to reach and cool the starter; distance is your friend.
The other heat-related issue is the much higher underhood temperature from headers, especially not thermally treated in some manner. It is very hard on all those plastic parts, read: electrical connectors.
I'd go so far as to highly recommend R&R of the headers for ceramic coating, for those reasons, possible SOTP performance increase from the improved thermal efficiency (I felt some), plus corrosion elimination with possible better long-term appearance.
Last edited by whalepirot; Oct 21, 2015 at 01:03 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 120
From: AZ
Headers are shaped differently and some, like my TPIS, are darn close to the starter.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
The problem is not with the starter but the heat from the headers. Hopefully, yours are ceramic coated. If not, you can wrap them, as I had done (with the associated paint). Some claimed it would crystalize the metal, but I did not find that to be the case, perhaps due to thet paint, which can be hard to find, keeping moisture out. I've seen very few use it.
Having had the same issue, I will tell you NOT to try a starter blanket but a shield may solve the problem. Agreeing with HR Roy, from our convo two days ago, you want air to reach and cool the starter; distance is your friend.
The other heat-related issue is the much higher underhood temperature from headers, especially not thermally treated in some manner. It is very hard on all those plastic parts, read: electrical connectors.
I'd go so far as to highly recommend R&R of the headers for ceramic coating, for those reasons, possible SOTP performance increase from the improved thermal efficiency (I felt some), plus corrosion elimination with possible better long-term appearance.
Having had the same issue, I will tell you NOT to try a starter blanket but a shield may solve the problem. Agreeing with HR Roy, from our convo two days ago, you want air to reach and cool the starter; distance is your friend.
The other heat-related issue is the much higher underhood temperature from headers, especially not thermally treated in some manner. It is very hard on all those plastic parts, read: electrical connectors.
I'd go so far as to highly recommend R&R of the headers for ceramic coating, for those reasons, possible SOTP performance increase from the improved thermal efficiency (I felt some), plus corrosion elimination with possible better long-term appearance.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,343
Likes: 3,252
From: Hartford WI
I DO have TPIS and they are very close which is why I am not sure it isn't the starter.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Mine is not a Tilton but it does look like one!!! I can't remember the brand (Ill post it later ). One of the guys I race with put an LT1 starter in his but he couldn't remember the year.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,343
Likes: 3,252
From: Hartford WI
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 120
From: AZ
I'd still get a shield that fits with whatever starter you choose. Unlike the warmth-retaining blanket, the shield will deflect some heat, while allowing cooling air in.
Was the engine modified?
Now, what do we do with these blankets? Years ago, folks put foil wrapped foodstuffs on their engines for hot lunches during trips.. maybe....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Oh, right... you said knock-off (mea culpa), so I suppose warranty is just a wish. Very, very little Chinese or Mexican stuff works for long, IMO.
I'd still get a shield that fits with whatever starter you choose. Unlike the warmth-retaining blanket, the shield will deflect some heat, while allowing cooling air in.
Was the engine modified?
Now, what do we do with these blankets? Years ago, folks put foil wrapped foodstuffs on their engines for hot lunches during trips.. maybe....
I'd still get a shield that fits with whatever starter you choose. Unlike the warmth-retaining blanket, the shield will deflect some heat, while allowing cooling air in.
Was the engine modified?
Now, what do we do with these blankets? Years ago, folks put foil wrapped foodstuffs on their engines for hot lunches during trips.. maybe....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,343
Likes: 3,252
From: Hartford WI
Gear reduction. Both in my Firebird with Ceremic coated Tri-Y headers and later Headman while I was planning something else. Then it got wrecked and the engine and trans got put into the Vette. This time with a Chevy starter that was gear reduction also.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 578
Oh, right... you said knock-off (mea culpa), so I suppose warranty is just a wish. Very, very little Chinese or Mexican stuff works for long, IMO.
I'd still get a shield that fits with whatever starter you choose. Unlike the warmth-retaining blanket, the shield will deflect some heat, while allowing cooling air in.
Was the engine modified?
Now, what do we do with these blankets? Years ago, folks put foil wrapped foodstuffs on their engines for hot lunches during trips.. maybe....
I'd still get a shield that fits with whatever starter you choose. Unlike the warmth-retaining blanket, the shield will deflect some heat, while allowing cooling air in.
Was the engine modified?
Now, what do we do with these blankets? Years ago, folks put foil wrapped foodstuffs on their engines for hot lunches during trips.. maybe....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Is yours an L98 if so what year starter did you get ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Oh, right... you said knock-off (mea culpa), so I suppose warranty is just a wish. Very, very little Chinese or Mexican stuff works for long, IMO.
I'd still get a shield that fits with whatever starter you choose. Unlike the warmth-retaining blanket, the shield will deflect some heat, while allowing cooling air in.
Was the engine modified?
Now, what do we do with these blankets? Years ago, folks put foil wrapped foodstuffs on their engines for hot lunches during trips.. maybe....
I'd still get a shield that fits with whatever starter you choose. Unlike the warmth-retaining blanket, the shield will deflect some heat, while allowing cooling air in.
Was the engine modified?
Now, what do we do with these blankets? Years ago, folks put foil wrapped foodstuffs on their engines for hot lunches during trips.. maybe....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,343
Likes: 3,252
From: Hartford WI
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
I installed a 92-96 LT1 mini starter from Advance auto and it bolted up just fine. But the solenoid is back and higher up so all the cables are a couple of inches to short. Does anyone know what the positive battery cable connects to besides the starter solinoid ? Its so tight I can't see, Iwas thinking of buying a longer cable and rerouting it.