I see in the NPD catalog both standard rebuilt starters and these special, "high torque" starters.
They're a little more cash: $100 versus $75.
1. Would installing this starter be a smart move if it's going to be used on a 10:1 FE? Or would the stock starter handle the high compression engine with no problem at all?
2. Is a starter with increased torque a risky idea--could it grind up the flywheel or put an undue electrical load on the circuit?
What are your thoughts on this starter?
Thanks!
-Robroy
Last edited by robroy on Wed Nov 05, 2008 12:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I doubt if the extra torque would pose any problems. You might want to look into the compact, permanent magnet type starters. I used one on a 300 and it was the best. They are probably a little more money but might cure some of the header clearance issues.
Great ideas have always encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds.
I called Powermaster and asked about their starters; they said that they're all made in the USA. On their web site it makes that claim only for their top model unit, the UltraTorque. I did hear that they use several small parts that are imported though, but all the large parts are domestic and it's put together here.
These seem like pretty good deals, but I don't have a complete understanding about the problems they're designed to solve. The obvious ones are form factor (being small), weight, and increased torque. I'm not sure about the heat soak issue or what "five position indexing" means.
Being much smaller than OEM there is a larger air gap particularly with headers.
I can actually get it in and out without removing the header If I'm careful (you won't do that with a stock one, the header and starter has to go in as a pair...
Hey Robert! Okay, knowing that the stock starter tangles with the header that much makes the sale for me. I wouldn't want to bury my ten year old starter under the header, even if it seems to work fine at the moment!
How does that starter sound, compared to the stock starter?
On the 300 it had a bit of a whine that you don't hear on an old style. Mine was a stock Ford unit. I think the 5 position indexing must mean it has 5 different ways it can bolt on. Most headers run REAL close to the starter and tend to cook them at a fairly rapid pace for some owners. The only FE I ever had headers on was a highboy and they didn't have that issue because the front 2 pipes went around the cross member so the header went on in 2 pieces and slid together.
Great ideas have always encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds.
The model Robert has (and I will have in the near future) is $189 at Summit. This price seems great to me, since a stock, rebuilt starter is $89, and these are new (not rebuilt).
Just a side note on Ford starters for some of you younger readers. They really hate a weak battery and repeated attempts to start a Ford with a weak battery will smoke your starter.
Great ideas have always encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds.
Good morning WillowBilly3, I've never heard of weak batteries smoking starters! Interesting. Is this true only for the stock starters? Or is it also true for these fancy modern starters?
