Burning up Starters

[laylowcustoms]

Hey guys. I'm having one hell of a time figuring out my problem.

I have a 1987 B250. 360V8 A-999 (I think. Takes a 727 pan but case says A-904) Last year the engine went out on me on the way home from a car show. It had 140,000 miles. I decided to rebuild it myself. (never done it before but I was told that it was simple enough for anyone with a mechanical aptitude to do) I replaced both heads (cracked) all 8 pistons (6 were damaged) intake manifold, (aluminum) had the block honed, Headers, Edelbrock carb, MSD 6A Ignition, replaced the cam shaft, and replaced the timing chain and gear. Everything has been torqued to Spec. (I do not recall over torquing anything)

I drove it to a car show this year and my distribuitor tiedown came loose and my distribuitor advanced itself. (I figured this out later)

I have had it running and I've adjusted the distribuiter timing with a timing light. I have also adjusted the carb. When it is running it tuns and sounds great. But for some reason I keep burnning up starters.

I have large stereo system in my van and I have a lot battery back up. I have 2x2400 amp batteries wired in parallel for 4800 amps. This is the only power source I have in my van. So when I try to start my van it draws from my 4800amps. I know thats too much for a starter but I didnt ever have a problem before I rebuilt the engine.

I have not tryed to start the van with a "normal battery " (700amp)

Does anybody have any idea?

[B-300]

The "904" casting mark on a 727 is a common thing, it's the mold ID number. There are other threads explaining this.
As for the starter, it doesn't matter how many batteries you use as long as its 12 volts. If your headers running close to the starter they may overheat the starter. I would suspect this or poor quality starters. Mine lasted for 15 years on my '78 an I installed a mini type from a newer van on my '71. It was a salvage yard purchase of $20 and had been rebuilt.
--B-300--

[gsmagnum]

Are you using the old style behemoth gear reduction starter or the newer style mini starter?
I couldn't get a decent rebuilt old style starter for my '79 Magnum, so I switched to the newer style starter and have had no problems. It cranks faster with a weak battery too. This was on a 400, but they are actually meant to fit a small block.
When the starter dies in my '75 pickup or when I put headers on, I have a used later style starter waiting in the wings.