I just had a local auto electrical shop install a Hitachi high torque mini starter and heat shield as was suggested elsewhere on this forum. I already had the Ford remote solenoid and dual start batteries. This replaced the GM high torque mini starter. The shop verified that the starting, charging, and electrical systems were in good working order.
I still have a slight drag on the starter when hot, but only about 1/3 as bad as with the GM mini starter and shield. Some of the hard start may be due to vapor lock. So, this covers all known cures for BB heat soak. I guess that this is the best I will ever get. I would still say that on a small block none if this should be necessary, unless headers are involved.
I bought this heat shield on Amazon but I think they are all about the same:
Amazon.com: Unversal Starter Heat Shield Barrier...