Clio Williams starter motor problems

So I have some intermittent starter motor problems with my Williams. I haven't manage to track down any situations where it does it regularly, it seems to be random.

I'm halfway through replacing the starter motor, and reading the instructions I noticed that the starter motor is supposed to have a heatshield. Mine definitely doesn't. Could that be the cause of the issue? Anyone know a good place to track down a heatshield?

Turns out replacing the starter is not an easy job! I'm 5 hours deep and still got some ridiculously hard to reach, rusted on bolts to shift.

They don't tend to survive not having a heatshield, here's the part number & what it looks like, you'll also need the 3 bolts for it, bottom right of the pic is the correct bolt

Awesome, thanks. I'll get one ordered.

Am I on the right track by removing the exhaust manifold? The Williams manual doesn't mention it, but it's bang in the way.

There's no reason to have to take the manifold off 😳 but it certainly does make it incredibly easy to do the starter, some pics in this thread

There's only 3 bolts from the gearbox side and 1 nut attaching it to the bracket on the block - most people remove the bracket & bin it because it's a t**t & gets in the way

I fixed a few older cars starter issues like this by putting a relay in the circuit to the starter kick, so the key trips the relay and the relay activates the starter kick. Old wiring and old ignition switches. Might be worth a go before you pull the starter. Cost less than a tenner.

Fitted a 172 starter and heatshield to my Valver. Is a nice upgrade. Starts way better