[64catalina]

I have a 1964 Catalina Convertible. Pontiac 400 motor rebuilt long branch headers. My starter just went out, original equip. I know with the long branch headers that starter is going to be hot. Does anyone have a recommendations for a replacement?

Thanks

[Deadhead]

I have one car with them and a heat shield no problems. I think somebody here makes these now. Maybe I saw them in the back of Smoke Signals? It is amazing what a thin piece of metal can do!

Another trick I have used is to jam a shim in there when tightening everything up to put some space between the pipe and the starter. Works on my other cars where the pipe could accidentally touch the starter when putting everything back together. Obviously remove after.

Let the mini starter recommendations begin...

[63gpman]

Block mount or trans mount starter?

[Stuart]

I put a heat shield on the starter in my car, it has long branch headers. I don't know if it helps or not but I've never had a problem with hard starting. If I remember correctly I bought it from Performance Years.

[Ragtop Man]

Could do a remote solenoid, even though it's not totally factory.

Saw it in a magazine, so it must be true.

[64catalina]

My starter is block mounted. Summit and Jegs make a heat shield with a velcro wrap.
Wasn't sure whether to go with wrap and cheaper starter or spend real money on a mini.

[Deadhead]

The ones in Smokes or PY use the mounting bolts for the starter to hold them on. Not sure the Velcro would hold up?

[64catalina]

Thats a very good point.

[Blackcat]

Since it's block mounted you can get one of the newer Mini Starters and use it.
That alone will give you planty of air space around it and also you can still wrap
it with the heat shield.

[66bonne]

I run a Power Master mini-starter with Ford solenoid. No problems with hot starts/heat soak. Plus it is a lot easier to change out the mini-starter. If my feeble mind serves me, I recall having to loosen the exhaust headers [ran Long Branches back then] in order to change the starter.

Jim

[64catalina]

I was able to just barely got the stock starter out without messing with the header. I don't believe I've experienced heat soak yet. Have been running this build for 3 years.
The positive lead needs to be cut 3/16 shorter to miss center link.

[66bonne]

EDIT; In my first post when I mention dropping the exhaust headers I should have said it was the STOCK starter that required this.

Jim