starter problem?

[13lazer]

about 2 weeks ago i momentarily reversed polarity on my optima battery(the posts are right in the center), i wasn't paying attention. i started having an intermittant delay between when i turned the key and when my starter engaged. now its completely dead, i cant even jump my ign to batt terminal with a screwdriver now? i have installed a new ignition switch, rewired the circuit, and installed a new alternator. im hesitating to pull the starter because with my oversized oil pan and 2-1/2" corvette ram horns i will need to drop my exhaust again, it took three tries to get rid of my exhaust leak last time i dropped it. my last chance is to use a remote mount ford solenoid. is it possible that i melted my chevy solenoid only, or maybe the whole starter? there were only very small sparks when i pulled the reversed cables off. it was less than 2 seconds time before i realized what i had done. is there a small starter thats worth its price? i've already worn out a powermaster high torque starter in about 1 year of use? has anyone had any long term good luck with an aftermarket chevy starter in a high heat application.

[orange72blazer]

I'm using a starter out of a 2000 chevy truck in my Blazer, it's much smaller and has more torque than the stock starter. You will have to get new bolts but other than that it bolts right up. It cost me $100 without a core.

[makovai]

I've had my share of starter issues as well. I have had pretty good luck with this last one. It's a high quality Napa lifetime warranty starter that came with roadside assistance and everything. Most of my issues are heat issues with my headers. I dont actually fry the starters i just get it to where they draw too many amps to start the car.

Putting the battery cables on backwards wasn't as bad as me leaving the + wire on the header. This cost me a battery, starter, and i went ahead and replaced the cables, just because



I had to actually peel the cable off my header.

[Fred T]

Your starter motor should be okay, but you never know for certain. I put a mini in my 69. Was so happy with it that when the starter went out in the kid's s-10 blazer that I put one in it. It certainly helps with the exhaust heat, and they're a lot easier to put in when they're cramped.

[orange72blazer]

Originally Posted by makovai

Most of my issues are heat issues with my headers. I dont actually fry the starters i just get it to where they draw too many amps to start the car.

That's the problem I was having also, thats whats nice about the newer style starters they're alot smaller than the ones originally on our trucks so they don't sit so close to the header. I also put one of those starter blankets on mine. It's been over 2 years without a problem.

[13lazer]

Originally Posted by orange72blazer

I'm using a starter out of a 2000 chevy truck in my Blazer, it's much smaller and has more torque than the stock starter. You will have to get new bolts but other than that it bolts right up. It cost me $100 without a core.

thanks, i will definately look at a newer model year starter. are the 2000 sbc blocks the same where the starter mounts and engages the flexplate?
i might check napa and see what they have

[orange72blazer]

Yes, the block is the same. I used the original flex plate also. All I did was take the old one off and bolt the new one up.

[13lazer]

update, my battery had an internal short somehow. so that old starter is still alive. the time spent chasing that gremlin was productive. i tightened up a bunch of things that were bothering me. i didn't know you could ruin a battery by reversing the polarity, i thought my charger was broken because it overheated and tripped the breaker when i hooked it up.