I ran a stock starter on my bird (405 RWHP)for 10 years with a stock heat sheild. I replaced it once with a $29.99 life time warranty starter from AutoZone, used it for more than 4 years and still have it to this day (currenlty not being used).
You mention a stock heat shield. I have a solenoid shield on mine but I thought it was installed within the last few years.
It's a double-walled shield that attaches to one of the long bolts and to a bolt of the solenoid. Does that sound like a factory shield?
