Dell

The reason I don't want to just buy a bigger cranking amp battery is because that doesn't really fix the problem. The starter shouldn't pull more than 150 to 200 amps

We routinely use 12-volts on the N-Tractor 6-volt starter motor and it does NOT burn out the starter motor ...unless... you haffta continually crank on the starter motor 'cuz you have other engine condition issues.

As I guessed in my original answer, yer starter motor solenoid ain't disconnecting yer starter electrics after starting. That is the ONLY WAY to cause the "overheating" that you complained about. Check'em out..... ...Dell

I was told by two mechanics that the starter was overheating because it was pulling 400 amps..... ...Maybe its not overheating or overheating is the wrong diagnosis, but it isn't supposed to pull that kind of amperage so where do I go from here Dell?

How to test a solenoid? Use voltmeter or trouble testlite and check for volts at BOTH BIG studs. You should have battery volts on ONLY one stud all the time. The starter motor stud should ONLY have volts when you are cranking yer engine.

Check BEFORE you crank yer engine, then AFTER STARTING, check again. Should be NO VOLTS to starter motor.

How did yer mechanics guess yer starter motor was pullin' 400-amps? It takes specialized test equipment to measure 400-amps. You might gitta "surge" of 400-amps at first engagement (usually less than 1-second) but then the starter motor will operate on about 150-amps while cranking the engine.

As I said, it takes a LONG TIME to overheat a starter motor from internal electrical current ..... ...Dell

The overheating my son in law explained to me was not the starter itself but the engine heat that migrates and also the starter on the 292 is only a couple inches from the exhaust connection of the exhaust manifold..... ....

I'm having a tough time finding a starter on the internet to exchange mine out with except for NAPA..... ....My son in law suggested AUTOZONE but I can't get a starter to come up on that site..... ...