I have a 83 cutlass with a olds 350 out of a 79 cutlass..I got a remanufactured starter from advance auto parts.The heat from the exhaust pipes killed it prematurely.

Should i just stay away from remanufactured parts and get brand new from lets say Summit Racing?

Also the starter actually rested on the exhaust.Could it be my motor mounts are worn?

 

How long did you have this starter? I mean was this a fairly new and does this still have a warranty? Take it back and get an exchange. It might have just been a bad rebuild....a dud.

Even with the heat from headers, your starter should have lasted longer. So I think you got a bad starter from the get go.

 

Or, being a








Or, being a '79, and it's set lean anyway, you've leaned it out more, and the 'custom dual exhausts' are getting red-hot!!
Now that it's 'unconstipated', probably with no cats, either, if it has a 4-bbl, richen it up. If it doesn't, get one, and richen it up!
I agree, the starter was probably bad, too, unless it was within 1/4 inch of the exhaust pipe - get a mini-starter if it's tight!

 

Welcome to CO.

 

I usually don't have problems with remanufactured parts from local parts stores. Just swap the starter out and put a thermal blanket over it. You can get these for less than $20 from Summit.

 

Being close to the exhaust is bad enough due to radiant heat. Resting on it is even worse becuase you have radiant AND conduction heat.

Sounds like you need to somehow get the exhaust away from the starter, or get a mini starter. Adding a heat shield will help, too. Is there a provision to mount a bracket from the block to the side of the starter? The early 70s engines had such a bracket that also functioned as a heat shield.
The exhaust will move with the engine, so the mounts should not be the root cause. Worth a check though.

Without seeing it, it is hard to tell what the issue is. Being a transplanted engine makes it more difficult.

 

Thanks for all of the input.All of you helped me out.I just got a mini starter.Im going to wrap it in a starter heat shield and im going to wrap my headers also. THANKS

 

Be aware that header thermal wrap usually voids any factory warranty you might have.