Starter Fit Problems

[bluedog]

I'm having trouble finding a starter that fits my flywheel. I have recently acquired a 1970 C10 with a 350 engine and th350 tranny. The starter for a 350/350 sits too far away from the flywheel, just barely engaging the flywheel and doing more grinding on it rather than turning it. The engine was rebuilt along with the tranny. Don't know who did it. How can I tell what flywheel and/or flex plate I have. I've read that the 327's use smaller flywheels. That's what it seems like to me that I have a smaller flywheel than standard.

Thanks,

Scott

[piecesparts]

There are two sizes of flywheels/flexplates for the GM v-8 motors. There is a 153 tooth size and a 168 tooth size. The starters are designed different for these two sizes. The larger size uses a starter where the bolts are "OFFSET" to each other in the starter housing and on the block mounting pad. The smaller design uses a starter bolt pattern that is straight across from each other.

First take a look at you starter and see which one you have. Second, see if your block has three holes at the starter mounting point. IF you have the smaller flywheel design, then you will need to have the straight pattern on your starter bolts. Third, if it will make you feel better then mark your flywheel and count the teeth on it to see what you truly have.

If you happen to have a small flywheel, three bolt holes for mounting and the starter is an offset pattern, then change starters. If you have a small flywheel and only two holes, then you may have to change the flywheel.

There are aftermarket starters that have both design capabilities and it might be your advantage to purchase on of those, if needed.

[LockDoc]

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Sounds like piecesparts covered it pretty well. You might also find some useful info here...... It says big block but it covers pretty much everything.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge...g_block_v8.htm

LockDoc

[bluedog]

Alright, I'll get under there and see what I have. The starter I have now is for a 350 engine and a 400 tranny. It got me closer to the flywheel but I'm still 3/16 inch from the starter shaft to the flywheel teeth. I read that the clearance needs to be 1/8 inch. I might try a shim under the outer bolt. I have the offset bolt pattern, not sure if my block has three bolt holes or two. I'll check it out.

One last question, do you need to pull the engine to change out the flywheel?

Thanks,

Scott

[novajess1972]

I went from small block 350 (1995 Chevy truck 350) to a big block 454 bored to 468, still using the same TH350. I was able to keep the same CVR Protorque starter, with no fitment problems. Designed to replace 153 or 168 tooth applications. It's 5 position adjustable for header and oil pan clearnace. Not sure what the original flywheel was (probably 153-tooth), but I know that I went to a 168-tooth for the 468 and the same CVR starter worked, just had to invert it, which is no hassle at all.

Part Number CVR5323. Bought it from Scoggin-Dickey Performance Center for 142.95.

Replaces Chevy engines with
153 or 168 tooth flywheels:
Chevy: 250, 300, 302, 305, 307,
350, 396, 400, 427, 454, 502

OEM: 1998241, 1998234, 1109062, 1109065

Note: Replaces either straight across
or staggered mount, providing the block
is drilled for straight across mount.


Hope this helps.

Jesse

[novajess1972]

Originally Posted by bluedog

Alright, I'll get under there and see what I have. The starter I have now is for a 350 engine and a 400 tranny. It got me closer to the flywheel but I'm still 3/16 inch from the starter shaft to the flywheel teeth. I read that the clearance needs to be 1/8 inch. I might try a shim under the outer bolt. I have the offset bolt pattern, not sure if my block has three bolt holes or two. I'll check it out.

One last question, do you need to pull the engine to change out the flywheel?

Thanks,

Scott

Oh, yeah, I used maybe 2-3 shims...can't remember the thickness. Sorry. However, it only took a couple tries to get it right.

Good luck!

Jesse