Starter Brace or Bracket - What can I do?

[stomper]

Did my research and found 2 choices from Summit for my SBC. One had a picture that looked like it would work
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-354353/

the other - no pix on Summit website
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-03965588/

Information sort of lacking on Summit but determined one was for BBC so I ordered the other. I assumed it's the correct one for my SBC.

Now I see Sallee Chevrolet lists these:
http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Star...arts/index.cfm
#03965588 - Starter Brace BBC 168 Tooth,
#03965589 - Starter Brace SBC 168 Tooth,
#00354353 - Starter Brace 153 Tooth.

Summit sells a 153 tooth flywheel starter brace for SBC and not a 168 tooth? GRrrrr... I'm just venting now.

Can anyone reply that you got part number X from vendor Y and it worked for your 168 tooth flywheel SBC?

[LockDoc]

-
I would just cut that one off, drill a hole for the stud, and bolt it up. If you had to you could elongate the hole a little for some "wiggle" room. That one has a slot in it anyway so elongating the drilled hole wouldn't hurt anything.

Just my 2¢ worth..

LockDoc

[cdowns]

that sure wood seem 2 b the fastest bestest way to get it done

[stomper]

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I wish the solution was that simple. Unfortunately it's not as easy as drilling a hole in the brace. In the photo the starter and brace are fastened tightly to the block. What you can't see is there is a little space between the stud and edge of the brace. The brace does not have any 'meat' around the stud for a hole.

If I drill a hole in the brace at the proper height, fastening it down would pull the FWD end of the starter toward the block and the nose away from the flexplate. The purpose of the brace is to help keep the starter gear engaged with the flexplate.

I could smash and bend this brace so that it fit - but gee I just spent $10 for a proper part. I might as well start with a piece of angle... ...and I'm going for a nice clean install so a smashed brace or piece of farm engineering is not what I want.

Anybody know what GM part #03965589 looks like or if it works for sure and where you got it?

[too much stuff]

3965589 looks a little different than what you have. There is no slot. It is listed for a 66-70 small block. It is still available from GM for less than $10

[bigkountry]

You could always do a pie cut relief towards the top, bend it out to the correct angle, weld the relief spot, grind it down and rattle can it. Then you could do the elongated hole like suggested above and it would look like it was made to fit.

[FLEET72]

Originally Posted by stomper

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I wish the solution was that simple. Unfortunately it's not as easy as drilling a hole in the brace. In the photo the starter and brace are fastened tightly to the block. What you can't see is there is a little space between the stud and edge of the brace. The brace does not have any 'meat' around the stud for a hole.

If I drill a hole in the brace at the proper height, fastening it down would pull the FWD end of the starter toward the block and the nose away from the flexplate. The purpose of the brace is to help keep the starter gear engaged with the flexplate.

I could smash and bend this brace so that it fit - but gee I just spent $10 for a proper part. I might as well start with a piece of angle... ...and I'm going for a nice clean install so a smashed brace or piece of farm engineering is not what I want.

Anybody know what GM part #03965589 looks like or if it works for sure and where you got it?

I think LockDoc Meant:

[stomper]

Fleet72 - DOH! OK I'm an idiot. That should work.

Mark - Thanks. Fleet72 has pointed out a good solution. I'm sure I'll see you soon anyway. PM'ing you a question

[stich626]

heat the brace at the top just under the bolt holding it to the block and give it a little bend.. then cut a hole for the stud.. no one will know after you paint it and it'll now work with both starter types..