Starters, mini starters, might want to check this out.

[stellar]

yes, i'm sure your starter guy can figure it out. If the big starter worked without shims then a small one should also. you may want to shim only one side and see what happens. shimming one side will move the gear closer to the center of the flywheel and shimming only the other side will move the starter gear farther away. Not all chineese parts are inferior. Some are of excellent quality and some are junk. I would like to say all chinees stuff is junk, but it wouldn't be true. Just because something is manufactured in China doesn't mean the quality control is suspect. American companies manufacture in China and the parts must still meet specifications. The labor costs are lower there, but if fuel and shipping costs continue to rise I think some of the US manufacturers will start comming home again. Talk to your rebuilder. Not only can he make sure you get a quality part he also has a vast storehouse of knowledge. Sometimes quality costs a little more but it usually only costs more once instead of constantly and causing more damage to other parts costing again, not to mention time. Support your local rebuilder or the only parts left will be the cheap stuff from the big box stores and when the competition is gone the low quality stuff will increase in price. You will also have an experienced ear locally to talk or complain to. Even some of the big catalog companies are selling poor quality parts at inflated prices. Good luck with your starter. Mark

[MrBlue]

Greetings,
I have found that our starter is bolted though the bellhousing. Therefore is it possible to install the mini staggered bolt design?
Thanks
MrBLue

[stellar]

Is that the 3 bolt horizontal mount? 3 bolts front to back and not bolted up vertical?

[lyrikz]

Awesome post. Im sure that the different amount of shims would work just fine, but would it work or cause issues with the starter in the long run>??

I do try and support my local guy as much as i can. He occasionally uses the chinese tops but he says he runs into these issues occasionally...

IM going to try the different nose cone, and if that doesnt work, i will try your suggestion with the staggered shims. The thing is, my starter is the kind that bolts staggered, not right next to each other ya know??

[stellar]

I know it is staggered. Remember to only shim one side or the other. As long as it is shimmed right and fitted, there will be no harm to the starter or flywheel if tightened in place. If not fitted properly it will cause damage to starter and flywheel.

[gator2511]

Wouldn't Ya know it!! My starter went out today. Got a delco gear starter coming in thru Autozone tomorrow and they say it will bolt right on. We will see. I tried to buy one from my local Chevrolet dealer and they said they could not look it up or help me cause its too difficult to do. No wonder they are going broke. I'm glad to have this information at hand.

[stellar]

keep your core until you are sure.
poem for the day

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by stellar

keep your core until you are sure.
poem for the day

If i just shimmed the outside just a tad i think it would get me to where i need to be... But im a fan of what you said about shimming is for misfits. I dont want to shim if not necessary...

So i grabbed the other starter.. This one has an acdelco remy cone on it... Looks better and there are some VERY VERY minor minor differences when i mic the cone out. I wont know until 430 today if it fits...

If it doesnt fit, do i just cut my shims in half? This is currently the type of shim i was using.


Do i just cut that in half and use the outside or inside shim?? Now that im staring at the starter i dont really know which side to shim.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by stellar

keep your core until you are sure.
poem for the day

Maybe i should give you the setup im working with..... The engine is a 1981 chevy 454 block. If this starter i have now, the one with the new cone, doesnt work, im ordering one from you...

[stellar]

I use the straight shims when only shimming one side. I think they are 15 thousandths. I bend them at 90 degrees close to the slotted side. That way i don,t have to remove a bolt, only loosen them and I can add and remove the shims easily because the long end is hanging down and is accessible. Go online and look up (starter shim instructions). Good info. If the starter you have now is OE delco it should work good without shims. If there have been changes made over the years like engine trans or flywheel, you may need to shim. Sorry you can't get one from me, I am not a subscribed member yet. I am still pink. Mark

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by stellar

I use the straight shims when only shimming one side. I think they are 15 thousandths. I bend them at 90 degrees close to the slotted side. That way i don,t have to remove a bolt, only loosen them and I can add and remove the shims easily because the long end is hanging down and is accessible. Go online and look up (starter shim instructions). Good info. If the starter you have now is OE delco it should work good without shims. If there have been changes made over the years like engine trans or flywheel, you may need to shim. Sorry you can't get one from me, I am not a subscribed member yet. I am still pink. Mark

HAHAHHA.... Well, we can deal with that a bit later... Your not publicly selling yoru stuff, your just helping a guy out....

The new, newer starter with the acdelco lid i wont know until about 430 if that bad boy fits.. It does have a new flex plate.... But my old starter worked with that new flex plate...

[stellar]

check out the thread NEW MINI STARTER POOPED OUT I guess you get what you pay for. If the old starter worked I think you will be smiling at about 445 with a pile of shims still in your hand. Mark

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by stellar

check out the thread NEW MINI STARTER POOPED OUT I guess you get what you pay for. If the old starter worked I think you will be smiling at about 445 with a pile of shims still in your hand. Mark

I cant really use the old starter because its the size of a refridgerator and rests RIGHT on the headers... So thats why im using the mini starter... Its not really even a mini starter.. Its just a stock starter for a 95+ chevy engine. Fits alot of the 350/454's and some cars i guess.... I didnt buy one of the skip white ones.. I ALMOST friggin did... he isnt sellin any right now, and i have seen quite a few posts poppin up about them pooopin out...

so hopefully im back on here in 3 hours and 45minutes with a runnin truck.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by stellar

check out the thread NEW MINI STARTER POOPED OUT I guess you get what you pay for. If the old starter worked I think you will be smiling at about 445 with a pile of shims still in your hand. Mark

Ok, so bolted teh starter up, no shims, and INSTANTLY could tell that it was going to work... Wired it up and VROOOOOMage.. So those chinese top hats arent the correct dimensions. He thought he had got rid of all of them but i guess not.

Anyways, thanks for the time. So, to sum up, all you need is a 95 starter for a chevy 454 with the stater bolts for that year truck and you should be good.

[MrBlue]

Greetings,
I have a starter that has the mounting bolts, horziontially, not vertically.
Is it possible to drill and tap the block for the vertical bolts?
Thanks,
MrBlue

[dakman]

I'm in the process of building an L31 R crate 5.7 motor and wanted a decent starter. The number in the first post wasnt working (think it was a type-o) so after some research (couple hours on google) I figured I'd clear up the part number question. Either can be used as the blocks are drilled for both, you would have to decide what size flexplate you'll be running or already have. Good picture of the bolts in question in the second pic. The 6442 for cars seem to be a lot more compact. Hope this helps.

Delco P/N 6449 - offset bolt pattern, used mostly on suv and truck blocks. For 14 inch 168 tooth flexplates.
Delco P/N 6442 - straight bolt pattern, used mostly on cars blocks. For 12 3/4 inch 153 tooth flexplates.

[Jim_PA]

Nice job - Thanks!

[Shyguy]

I have read this whole thread and as usual I am confused so I will tell you what I have.

I have a 1974 454 out of a Chevy truck and I have a mini starter out of a 1995 Chevy truck.

Will this starter fit this engine and if it will what will it take to make it work.

Sorry if this has already been covered.

Thank you.

Danny

[GKsport67]

It took me 3months to find something stock to fit my 327/350 setup(being a cheapskate) &still couldn't find the right 1. So i went witha HITACHI 100 hi po starter $150. Thats a far fetch from $40/$50 when your unemployed!! Its all good now,no more electrical problems for me!!

[67_ShortFleet]

I read somewhere on he to buy a new starter for a 99 suburban and it will bolt up. I need to get this figured out myself.

[1quik70]

I had starter issues on my 396, the thing would bolt up and last for 4 or 5 starts and it would chew the teeth up on the starter drive. I knew it was engaging fine, and couldn't figure it out. Bough a mini from Skip White and haven't looked back. My 396 is 10to1 compression and the stock one just didnt have the power needed to keep it spinning. I would highly recommend one of Skip's units if you are in the market!

[lytemup454]

hey guys I just picked me up one of these starters from a 95 and put it in but I noticed that my solenoid doesn't have the same # of lugs on it and I'm not sure how to wire it up.
I've been looking at the pictures from the beginning of this thread, My starter looks the same? any help would be great.
Thanks Ian

[stellar]

There are solenoids available for that starter with the 2 small posts. I am sure I could find you one if you really need it.

[lytemup454]

I just need to know how to Wire it up I did the HEI convertion awhile ago and now I'm missing a small post. I'm not ery good with wiring and just wondering how to make it happen.
ian

[lytemup454]

ttt