starter problem
 

first question. Are all automatic flywheels 168 tooth. I used the flywheel from an 85 chevy c10 when I changed my 327 to automatic. I m having problems with starters lasting less than a year. Staggered bolt pattern starter.

Any help would be appreciated. Do you think the problem could be I need to get a new instead of rebuilt starter. I am thinking about going to LKQ and getting an old original starter.

Re: starter problem
 

Early Chevy flexplates come in both 168 and 153 tooth versions. Your particular starter setup may need to be shimmed to provide required clearance, if binding is causing the failures. In my experience I never had good luck with rebuilt generators or starters. I bought a new starter from GM and it was working fine 15 years later when I had to change it because of a change in flywheel size when I went to a 4 speed stick. I bought a new Power Master reduction gear starter at that time and it continues to work fine. Some may swear by rebuilt units, but I'll never buy another one.

Re: starter problem
 

If you are considering a new starter instead of rebuilt, you might want to look at a mini-starter instead of the stock type. I have had good luck with those on block-mounted applications.

Ray

Re: starter problem
 

Try using a flywheel and starter from the same year model. This is how the problem was solved on a 86 I had .