Starter for 68 Shelby FE w/ Headers

[Shelbytexas]

Help! I have a '68 Shelby Mustang with an FE and Hooker headers (4 spd if that matters). All the hi-torque starter guys say theirs "might fit", and there are no returns.

Any experience out there with a high torque starter that fits this combination?

Thanks!

[Keith Lyles]

I use to have a (heat soak) starter problem on my KR and I didn't have headers. Heat shield didn't help that much so I went with a gear reduction system from Summitt. This was about 3 years ago and it worked a lot better than the rebuilt crap I was getting everywhere else. I have not driven my car in about 2 years so I can't get you the part number for the gear reduction drive. Give Summitt a call along with the apllication and they may be able to help. I think the unit cost me about $130.00 but don't quote me on that.

Keith

[VitaminC]

Shelbytexas,

I believe our starter fits. I know of a customer who used it with the Hooker Super Comp units on a '67 GT500. If it doesn't fit, I will take it back and refund your money.


Hope this helps,

Chris Weisberg
Carroll Shelby Enterprises
(310) 538-2914

[Excaliber]

I don't know what the big deal is? I went down to NAPA bought a starter, bolted it on and it works great, hot cold, heat soak, whatever.

OH,,, they said what kind of motor? I told them a 1967 Ford Country Squire station wagon with a 427. They had a listing and the starter in stock.

Maybe it's that killer battery I got? Maybe it's those battery cables the size of welding cables? Maybe it's the "retarded" base timing I'm running? I checked into a "Starter Saver", a device that retards timing while engine cranking, but didn't need it.

[Shelbytexas]

Thanks to all. Before I try the Shelby Starter (and I really appreciate the return policy), I am going with the "it's no big deal" solution. I was probably over-thinking it. We'll see how the stock unit works...

[Specialk]

Ernie,

The headers on your new ERA are miles away from the starter compared to in the Mustang chassis, so heat soak is not going to be as big an issue. The solution that worked for Keith in his KR was going with the hi-torque unit.

[Shelbytexas]

SpecialK is exactly right. My problem is getting one to fit with the headers so close to the engine. Once it is on, the problem may be over-heating. We will see how the stock unit holds up to the heat...