I just had my 68 Firebird 350 rebuilt which should have around 400 HP. I had starting problems in the past due to heat soak problems, I believe (Has Hooker Headers). I did replace the starter with the orginal style before and it did ok, but would still sometimes not start when it got hot. I've seen the advertisement for the mini style starters with more torque and state relieve heat soak problems.

Anybody use these and what would you recommend?

Thanks for your help.

have you considered installing a heat sheild on the starter solinod to block the heat from the headers.

I'm considering going to a mini starter. Since they are a gear reduction design, I think they will sound like a Chrysler cranking. But, I think I could deal with that. Opening the hood in the summer to try to relieve some of the heat buildup gets old!

I 2nd the mini-starter. With the traditional history of starter problems that I have read here on these cars, I did not even consider installing one of those very heavy OEM starters.

I got mine from Ames.

I ran a $29.99 (lifetime warranty) stock type starter from AutoZone for 10 years. I did have the stock heat sheild attached to is as well and NEVER once had an issue. Over the ten year period I replaced it one time because I had dropped it which was just recently, took it to AutoZone, they looked up my purchase and handed me a brand new one. My engine was 9.75 compression & put 405hp to the rear wheels. My opionion is to always go with stock type parts, keeps things simple, perfect fit, easy to replace, no modifications needed etc. But again, that's just my opinion...

I went to the mini starter with a heat wrap around it and haven't had a problem. I had an issue with the stock starter and the stock manifolds when it got warm. When I went to the headers, I wanted the mini just so I could get it in and out without removing the header. Once I got it shimmed correctly it doesn't sound too bad.

a remote solenoid might help

Yeah, that was something else I thought of too. Has anybody tried a remote F*rd solenoid?

That might be a cheaper alternative, even though you might want to figure out a way to hide it.

Just a FYI. If you do decide to go with the ferd remote setup, they once made a solenoid with a button on the bottom that closed the starter circuit so you could roll the motor over from under the hood. I wish I could remember what year/make they were used on but I think it would be very convenient to have.

i used a 69 mustang one. i just use a screwdriver to short the two leads to bump the motor over

I too am considering the mini starter. I finally got my 400 in tonight and bolted up the original type starter. With LBM's, I foresee a heat soak problem because everything is so tight. I also looked at Ames, but am hesitant to pay $210. Not sure if I should just role the dice and see how long the starter I have lasts.

I have a Hi Torque mini starter from IMI Performance In CA and I have been very happy. Easy install and no more heat soak problems.

I have a question regarding the shims. My starter had 2 shims installed when it was attached to the 350. When I put it on the 428 it seems to work fine without shims. How do I know if I need them back in there or not?

You need to get a paperclip, bend out the end to extended it and measure for clearance between the starter and flywheel teeth after extending the "bendix" drive with a screwdriver.

You want a paperclips worth of clearance between the teeth.

Thats gonna be fun with everything installed on the car. Probably should have been looking at this while the engine and trans were on the lift.

Easy to do from underneath with the tranny flywheel inspection cover off.

Thank you!