I just got done replacing my starter on my 89 4Runner, man what a pain in the ars. So it all went as well as expected until I tried replacing the small heat shield that covers the manifold where the starter is and the bolts snapped off. Is that heat shield there for the cables or the actual starter? Can I just get some heat insulation and wrap the cables or am I gonna have to figure out a fix for the shield. FML.

 

3.0 by the way

 

pictures go a long way on this site... snap some shots and post up what you're talking about.

 

you only need it if you want to start your truck when it is hot or stop the heat from melting the windings inside your nice new starter.
For some reason, the peeps in japan have thought it was a good idea to put that there. they have built a great truck. I do not think they would just put something on the motor just for looks (then thinks of all those plastic things covering the motor.... O_o )

 

btw, I think someone makes a wrap for starters too, not just the wires.
I remember seeing them in JCW years ago.

 

better to have something than nothing. better to be able to start the truck everytime than to be stranded imo. like cobolt said you can get a starter blanket. its what i did after i installed a set of headers on my 3.0

 

Yeah, it looks like they have some aluminum heat shield wrap thing at JC Whitney. I think I'll just see if I can find that for the starter, but I wonder about the power cable that runs right there as well. Maybe they have some wrap for that too?

 

I hate heat shields...

I have an idea which one your talking about but I've never owned a 3.0 and without pics I'm kinda shooting in the dark. I've been told it's a "fire hazard" to remove heat shields. That said, the only heat shield I'm aware of on my truck is the firewall.

 

I'm thinking the easiest thing for me, since I don't have a tap and die set (or the motivation and cash to go do it!) , would be to get a couple hose clamps and clamp the heat shield on the the exhaust manifold.

Anyone done this? Is the hose clamp capable of being clamped directly to the manifold without losing integrity??

 

DEI makes an adhesive heat shield, I bought a 12" x 24" piece for about $20 from Advance Auto. After having my starter serviced (new contacts, brushes and all rubber parts) I covered the areas closest to the header with the stuff.

 

Heat tape looks pretty good.

I just got a couple hose clamps from NAPA and clamped that thing back on there. Hopefully it all goes well, but if something happens I'll keep you posted.

Thanks guys!