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1972 cutlass convertible with 68 455 w/ C heads - factory manifolds - 2 inch exhaust - This was the same problem I had with total electrical shut down - I wired the four wires going to the starter against the block (yeah I know I know ... way to think that through) I since rewired the burnt in half wires - following the chassis service manual routed them down through the tube at back of driver side of block - the first time I went straight across block and failed - this time they wrap around clutch (this is a 4sp car) arm thingy and that holds it away from block - to my best knowledge these touched nothing - the service manual didn't cover this area that I could find - it's very hot in here between the block and manifold -wires are melting - anybody have any advice? Thanks! ~ Joe
The exhaust manifolds get way hotter than the block. Try pointing the terminals on the wires just slightly toward the block before installing the starter.
will try an find some better insulated wire - was hard enough just finding a positive cable long enough 😕 - also I will try to angle the wires a little further from the exhaust - tight down there though - is there any kinda thermal wrap or something I could wrap the wires with before installing? Is that a thing? Also - one major detail I left out - I had just broken two exhaust hangers on that side and a consequence was a major exhaust leak between the pipe and manifold - would the exhaust heat be enough to melt those wires like that?
Last edited by 72442455; Jul 18, 2017 at 05:15 PM.
Reason: Adding more info
was hard enough just finding a positive cable long enough ��
Did you try looking at NAPA? I was able to get a 1 gauge cable in the correct length for my car.
Originally Posted by 72442455
Also - one major detail I left out - I had just broken two exhaust hangers on that side and a consequence was a major exhaust leak between the pipe and manifold - would the exhaust heat be enough to melt those wires like that?
Um, yeah dude, hot (1000º+) exhaust gases will melt just about any insulation. That was a major piece of information to leave out. Forget about finding better wire insulation, what you have (had) would have been sufficient without the exhaust leak. Fix that leak and your problem is solved.
Thanks gang - exhaust leak is fixed - ordering heat shield products off of amazon to cover the wires (have had too many issues with this - want to be done playing with this part of the car 😜 Thanks as always for the help and info! ~ Joe
Update - I received the "heat shield products" wire insulator from amazon - rewired and put in starter - exhaust leak fixed and so far so good - I'm pretty happy with the heat shield insulator and the price was reasonable - easy to work with and looks great - had extra so used it on my fuel line - I appreciate the replies - even though the fix was pretty obvious it helps to bounce it off you all - helps give me confidence in doing things to the car - over all got a ton of things done to the car and it has never sounded / ran better - just wanted to say thanks ~ Joe
Glad you got it fixed. I was driving my '65 442 when starter engaged when the wires shorted together, turned off key and it starter stayed engaged and running. Had to disconnect battery to get it stop running.
I think it was 71 or 72 when they started putting these on the 455s to give the starter and wiring some heat relief. Found this one in my parts pile. Think it was from a 1971 98 I had many years ago. Terribly pitted but I cleaned it up and put it on a 70 442.
Problem is that lower bolt goes into the starter housing and the replacement starters aren't tapped so when the starters were replaced the shield went in the parts pile. Second problem is the newer replacement starters have a shorter body before they chamfer down at the end. The bolt goes in the area that was shortened. I had to rebuild a starter using an old case with the longer body and then tap the hole for the bolt.
Parts Place sells repros of the shield.
Regards,
Eric
Thanks as always for the help and info! ~ Joe
