3 Bolt Starter - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

zardiw · 06-12-2002, 04:26 PM

Hi all. I want to put in a 3 bolt starter on the 383 I'm building. It has 3 holes tapped into the block, but all I can find is the 2 bolt version at local parts houses. I think I remember there used to be 3 bolt starters on Cadillacs, or somethin..... On my existing 350, a nice chunk of block w/thread broke off, so I put studs in to make it stronger/make it work, but I don't want the same thing to happen to the new engine. Any ideas/part #s/sources?...Thx, z

Beast388 · 06-12-2002, 04:34 PM

I have never seen a stock style 3 bolt starter. The 3 tapped hole are for two different types of starters. The straight across holes are used with a 12" (153 tooth) flywheel and the appropriate starter nose. The inside and staggered hole or the angled bolt pattern is used with the 14" (168 tooth) flywheel.

Your situation sounds a little like mine. One of my starter holes are stripped on the block I used for my 388 stroker. I had to use the 153 tooth flywheel and starter so I didn't need the stripped hole. I used a 350 flywheel and had the counter weight welded onto the flywheel mounting flange of the crank.

zardiw · 06-12-2002, 04:57 PM

Thanks Beast. I've got the 168 tooth flexplate. So that will need a 400 starter, right? Too bad they don't make a 3 bolt.....that whole 2 bolt setup is what my father used to call a 'mouse trap'...lol.....z

OhioDan · 06-13-2002, 03:59 AM

I have a three hole, stock starter on mine. The top hole isn't tapped, and the bolt enters from the rear. The other two are tapped, and the bolts come in from the front. Never had a problem getting starters. ( must be lucky?)

Beast388 · 06-13-2002, 10:49 AM

OhioDan......does your starter bolt to the engine block or to the bellhousing?

Is yout truck an automatic or manual?

OhioDan · 06-14-2002, 03:34 AM

My starter bolts into the bell housing. I've got a grandma 4spd. tranny. Not any good for racing, but, it'll pull tree stumps out if ya want?

06-12-2002, 04:26 PM	#1
zardiw Faster horses, yw, ow, mm Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 184	3 Bolt Starter Hi all. I want to put in a 3 bolt starter on the 383 I'm building. It has 3 holes tapped into the block, but all I can find is the 2 bolt version at local parts houses. I think I remember there used to be 3 bolt starters on Cadillacs, or somethin..... On my existing 350, a nice chunk of block w/thread broke off, so I put studs in to make it stronger/make it work, but I don't want the same thing to happen to the new engine. Any ideas/part #s/sources?...Thx, z __________________ '73 C20, 383, 3500 leaf springs, 38.5 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws (More ground clearance than an H2 Hummer), Performance Distributor (Tits!!) w/Clear cap (awesome at night), Edelbrock intake+IAS shocks, Tri Y headers, Dr. Gas Xover(for that NASCAR sound).

06-12-2002, 04:34 PM	#2
Beast388 Suburbans RULE! Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clinton, IA 52732 Posts: 689	I have never seen a stock style 3 bolt starter. The 3 tapped hole are for two different types of starters. The straight across holes are used with a 12" (153 tooth) flywheel and the appropriate starter nose. The inside and staggered hole or the angled bolt pattern is used with the 14" (168 tooth) flywheel. Your situation sounds a little like mine. One of my starter holes are stripped on the block I used for my 388 stroker. I had to use the 153 tooth flywheel and starter so I didn't need the stripped hole. I used a 350 flywheel and had the counter weight welded onto the flywheel mounting flange of the crank. __________________ --Ben 71 GMC Suburban 4X4 The "Beast" 388 CID Stroker, TH350, NP205, 8-lug D44, 14BFF w/ Detroit, 4.10:1 gears, 4-Wheel Disks 4" Lift, 35" MT/R's.

06-12-2002, 04:57 PM	#3
zardiw Faster horses, yw, ow, mm Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 184	Thanks Beast. I've got the 168 tooth flexplate. So that will need a 400 starter, right? Too bad they don't make a 3 bolt.....that whole 2 bolt setup is what my father used to call a 'mouse trap'...lol.....z __________________ '73 C20, 383, 3500 leaf springs, 38.5 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws (More ground clearance than an H2 Hummer), Performance Distributor (Tits!!) w/Clear cap (awesome at night), Edelbrock intake+IAS shocks, Tri Y headers, Dr. Gas Xover(for that NASCAR sound).

06-13-2002, 03:59 AM	#4
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	I have a three hole, stock starter on mine. The top hole isn't tapped, and the bolt enters from the rear. The other two are tapped, and the bolts come in from the front. Never had a problem getting starters. ( must be lucky?) __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started.

06-13-2002, 10:49 AM	#5
Beast388 Suburbans RULE! Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clinton, IA 52732 Posts: 689	OhioDan......does your starter bolt to the engine block or to the bellhousing? Is yout truck an automatic or manual? __________________ --Ben 71 GMC Suburban 4X4 The "Beast" 388 CID Stroker, TH350, NP205, 8-lug D44, 14BFF w/ Detroit, 4.10:1 gears, 4-Wheel Disks 4" Lift, 35" MT/R's.

06-14-2002, 03:34 AM	#6
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	My starter bolts into the bell housing. I've got a grandma 4spd. tranny. Not any good for racing, but, it'll pull tree stumps out if ya want? __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started.



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