Thanks - starter now removed :-)

Turns out the sheild I was talking about was for the downpipe yes - it seemed to be bolted to the engine mount with a 10?mm bolt. In the event I did manage to wiggle the starter downwards and past the shield, by bending the shield a little.

Don't know if maybe, any other shields are missing from mine - didn't have to remove anything else in the end.

 

If all that was there was the downpipe shield, you are missing the shield for the starter. It's the one OverRover had a picture of. I guess they're still available new given his photo.

I wonder of the newer, one piece style found on the DI's would work for you. That style clips on to the starter and bolts on through the motor mount bracket. It works and is a lot easier to remove. I have used ones in stock should you choose that route. You may opt for nothing at all. It just gets pretty hot down there, maybe not has hot in non catalytic trucks but, still....

 

An awful lot of bodywork & trim has been removed from my truck, it's been converted to a pure bare-bones offroader so access for cooling air is at the max really. Given that I only really use it for very short periods as a farm runaround, I can probably get away with it. Seems to have been okay for the past couple of years like that anyway, & no signs of any obvious heat damage to the starter having had a good look at it in the daylight.

After all this I'm now strongly suspecting the original issue was just, a loose trigger wire.. it fell off the lug the minute I started wiggling the starter!

All the same, I've ordered a new unit.

 

I had the same problem with the wiring falling of the spade on the solenoid with my '85. I'd pull up to a store, shut the truck off, come out, turn the key, nothing. I'd hop out, reattach the wire and be on my way. Finally, I replaced the female connector at the end of the wire and never had a problem again.

 

Picked up new starter today, cost £120 but having spent the money am glad I did. New starter is considerably smaller than original one and thus went back in SO much easier. Just that extra maybe, half an inch more clearance & a bit less weight.. Glad in the end I didn't mess around trying to fix brushes etc.

 

Good to see you got it sorted. IMHO I agree it's fair better to replace the starter motor like you did than to rebuild it.

If you find that you still want the heat shield but don't want to spend ROVER prices you can always get a Starter Heat Shield Wrap. In The US they run about $15 - $25 and I'm sure you can find one on your side of The Pond.

It looks like this > https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dei-010384