Trying to help a total stranger!

Car guys love to help whenever they can. Sounds like you went the extra mile to help these guys. Well done. Just to add a little something else which may open a can of worms. I built a 440 with headers and the motor never liked to start when hot. Could always hear starter struggling. I had the bigger starter and had been freshly rebuilt. Actually came out of a Police car. I eventually went to stock 440 manifolds and never had a starter issue again with the same starter. That starter is over 25 years old and I just replaced it with the mini starter.
i too have never had a problem with oem starters and oem exh man.
now one time i bought a 76 350 vette one day when found no mopars to be had. bought it to flip. took it to a cruise in. tried to start it to leave while still hot. i learned from the vette guys just typical. just let er cool off! chevies!!!! ha