Early 68 Big Block

[Paul H.]

I have an early 68 427/390. MY car did not come from the factory equipped with a heat shield for the starter/solenoid. I am presently rebuilding the starter. While it is out I am comtemplating the wisdom of adding a heat shield for the starter/solenoid. Do these really keep the temps down on the solenoid/starter? Is it worth adding it and will it extend the life of the starter? I am not planning on having the car judged and drive it about once a week.

Thank you for your thoughts on this

[Henry J.]

Re: Early 68 Big Block

Paul:

I was in the same situation with my early 68 L36 as you now find yourself. I chose to add the heat shield, simply to give myself piece of mind.

[Terry B.]

Re: Early 68 Big Block

Paul / Henry,

I thought the same way on my '68 L-36, I added the heat shield. I had some scorched wire issues before I put it on.

[Paul H.]

Re: Early 68 Big Block

Thanks Henry and Terry for your responses. I am leaning towards getting the heat shield but, without beating the subject to death, I guess I am wondering how a thin piece of metal between the starter and the block can actually keep the heat down.

The other question: Which vendor carries them and is adding one a simple piece of cake bolt-on?

[Jack C.]

Re: Early 68 Big Block

Paragon pn# 2162 (shield) and 2022 (nut)

[Paul H.]

Re: Early 68 Big Block

Paragon pn# 2162 (shield) and 2022 (nut)

Thanks Jack. I see it now after digging through some old catalogs.

[Joe L.]

Re: Early 68 Big Block

Thanks Henry and Terry for your responses. I am leaning towards getting the heat shield but, without beating the subject to death, I guess I am wondering how a thin piece of metal between the starter and the block can actually keep the heat down.

The other question: Which vendor carries them and is adding one a simple piece of cake bolt-on?

Paul-----

Under the intended use circumstances you describe, I'd definitely add the shield. The shield is intended to keep the solenoid COOLER than it otherwise would be. It does not shield the starter, itself. Will it keep the solenoid cool to the touch? Of course not, but, as I have mentioned, it will keep it cooler than it would be without the shield. This is a positive thing.

Keep this in mind: GM did not add the shield because everything worked just as well without it or because they had first determined that the shield would be completely ineffective. Take advantage of that engineering by adding the shield.

[Paul H.]

Re: Early 68 Big Block

Paul-----

Under the intended use circumstances you describe, I'd definitely add the shield. The shield is intended to keep the solenoid COOLER than it otherwise would be. It does not shield the starter, itself. Will it keep the solenoid cool to the touch? Of course not, but, as I have mentioned, it will keep it cooler than it would be without the shield. This is a positive thing.

Keep this in mind: GM did not add the shield because everything worked just as well without it or because they had first determined that the shield would be completely ineffective. Take advantage of that engineering by adding the shield.

Thank You Joe. I'm going to order the shield. It makes sense on a car that is driven. There is a good reason the engineers added it.