Thread: I keep burning out starters on my 396

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Good day, everyone. I own a '66 Caprice with a 396. I would say I go through a starter every couple years. When a new one is installed, it starts every time. Then, it won't start when the engine is hot, then eventually it won't start at all. It is not my primary transportation vehicle. I asked some of my buddies and at the parts store; the general consensus is that heat, either directly through the mount or blowing off the engine as the car is moving is cooking the starter motor. I have not troubleshoot what goes wrong with the starters, I have just replaced them.
I have heard the following suggestions for long term repair:

- Use a Delco, not an aftermarket starter (how do I know it won't burn out too!)

- Buy a heat shield

- Fabricate a heat shield using foil covered fiberglass as used on aircraft

- Install spacers under the mount, The theory on this is that as the engine parts heat up, the starter/flywheel gears are too close to engage properly

- Install a high torque racing starter (again, how do I know it won't burn out too!)

- Suck it up, it is an engineering flaw with big blocks; they will always fry their starter motors no matter what.

Any suggestions on a satisfactory repair? Thanks. -Spiff_USAF