Mini Starter...Are You Happy With Yours?

[Loose Screw]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Yes. Good point though. No pun intended!

Yeah, And That's A Great Picture. Clearly shows the All Thread on Both starters for the Front Hold Down Brace!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I highly recommend a 1990s AC Delco permanent magnet starter. All kinds of room around the starter. And the engine spins over faster than my old full-size starter.

It's an AC Delco Gold part to fit 350s (and maybe other engines) with 168-tooth flexplate/flywheel. Everything about mine looked brand new, as you can see in the photo.

AC Delco #336-1910A
GM #88864291

I paid $102 for it in 2022 on Amazon. Unfortunately it's now $148, but that's with free Prime delivery. Wish my income would have gone up 45% in the last 4 years!

Instructions are very informative. They call out specific bolt P/Ns you will need to use, which are knurled above the threads, unlike standard bolts.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ado-336-1910a
.

[Loose Screw]

Ha! I'm all worried about the Front Brace, and wouldn't you know it, in the picture of the starter I bought, no All Thread, No Provision on the starter for the bracket/brace.....I already bought it too. I'll see once I have in my hand...

If I can't use the brace/bracket I'll dangle it from rearview mirror as a $14 Score compared to what everybody else wants for them!

[67C10Step]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I put on a Proform Starter Motor (#66256) on my 70 when the original went out. It was a super pain getting out original with full length headers. I used this one as it was one I had from my prior truck's build. Starter has been on this truck almost 4 years, plus year or 2 on last truck. Does great Lot easier to get in especially since I went to shorter headers.

Palf,
Are those Sanderson shorty headers? That is what I am putting on my 350 I am about to drop in and the starter is a big question mark in my mind right now if the stock will fit or if I will need to go with a setup being discussed here.

[Palf70Step]

Yes, they are sandersons, and I do love them. I went with them because I could not find a regular set of headers that guaranteed clear the Z-bar and manual 3 speed shifters. I put the starter on when the original failed, but I still had the long tube headers on then.. I never had factory starter with the sanderson's. I not sure it looks real tight for factory starter. One idea, instead of sanderson's you could go with the 2 1/2" ram horn manifolds like Speedway has.

[dmjlambert]

For those mini starters that have provision for the front brace, is that the same front brace that is used for a full size starter and does the brace connect to the block at the same place?

[67C10Step]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Yes, they are sandersons, and I do love them. I went with them because I could not find a regular set of headers that guaranteed clear the bar and manual 3 speed shifters. I put the starter on when the original failed, but I still had the long tube headers. Do never had factory starter with the sandersonson. I not sure it looks real tight for factory starter. One idea, instead of sanderson's you could go with the 2 1/2" ram horn manifolds like Speedway has.

Thank you! I went with these for clearance on the Z-bar for the manual and the engine I am putting in came from Blueprint and the Sandersons claim to fit those as well.

I will see soon as plans are to put the engine in this weekend and start putting all the accessories on.

[57taskforce]

I run the factory GM mini gear reduction starter from the 94-98 trucks in mine. Never had any problems. I got it from the junkyard close to 10 years ago. Hard to tell how many miles it has on it now.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

I run the factory GM mini gear reduction starter from the 94-98 trucks in mine. Never had any problems. I got it from the junkyard close to 10 years ago. Hard to tell how many miles it has on it now.

Those starters are awesome. Tiny torque monsters! They would probably work with any and all exhaust manifolds and headers.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Loose Screw

Beauty, but I got Points...

Aaaand do you have the front hold down bracket on yours?

I better show what I'm talking about...


Brace.jpg

Wow, never heard of a starter brace. Hmm. Do I need one?

My thinking was the lighter starter with more better bolts is better than a BA starter with lessor bolts. Did original starters have a brace?

[Steeveedee]

I know that Chevrolet V8s had them. Any mechanic worth his flat rate pay tossed them when reinstalling the starter. Maybe the sixes had them; I just don't remember. I'd expect that they'd be necessary on high compression engines, but I had a '66 Le Mans with a 400 (not original) that had 11.5:1 compression and no brace. Anyone know if the mini-starters have that brace?

[Loose Screw]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I know that Chevrolet V8s had them. Any mechanic worth his flat rate pay tossed them when reinstalling the starter. Maybe the sixes had them; I just don't remember. I'd expect that they'd be necessary on high compression engines, but I had a '66 Le Mans with a 400 (not original) that had 11.5:1 compression and no brace. Anyone know if the mini-starters have that brace?

*Most* Starters have the All Thread on them for The Brace, look at Post 23...

That said the "Mini" Starter that I should be receiving late today is pictured Without the All Thread....

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Loose Screw

*Most* Starters have the All Thread on them for The Brace, look at Post 23...

That said the "Mini" Starter that I should be receiving late today is pictured Without the All Thread....

Got it. I wondered what you guys were talking about earlier. I know these as double-ended (stud) bolts. I'll look at my starter sometime and see if it has one. Ain't putting s brace on, in any event.

[Loose Screw]

The Starter Aaaand the Brace just arrived. Here's some pix...
I'm holding The Starter with 2 fingers,
And With The Brace Attached...

I'm going to get to work!

IMG_1993.JPG

IMG_1997.JPG

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I know that Chevrolet V8s had them. Any mechanic worth his flat rate pay tossed them when reinstalling the starter. Maybe the sixes had them; I just don't remember. I'd expect that they'd be necessary on high compression engines, but I had a '66 Le Mans with a 400 (not original) that had 11.5:1 compression and no brace. Anyone know if the mini-starters have that brace?

I'm just a tad confused because you suggest chucking the braces but were "necessary for high compression".

Never knew about this brace, maybe it's in the assembly manual someplace. All I know is I junked the OER starter for a a Delco mini with these bolts or type (Dorman bolts p/n# 678-107), and it starts in a pinch and smoothly.

[Steeveedee]

^ I wasn't clear. I should have said "suspect" instead of "expect". I can count the number of times I've heard of a starter nose breaking on one hand. I would guess that that was the reason for the brace.

[Loose Screw]

Ok, I'm about 20% into the uninstall/install, Had to come into eat something....

Aaaand how about the Heat Shield?.....I just had too...

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Those starters are awesome. Tiny torque monsters! They would probably work with any and all exhaust manifolds and headers.

Heck yeah they are. Cheap and dang near bullet proof for the average guys needs, and they do quite well with headers.

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by Loose Screw

Ok, I'm about 20% into the uninstall/install, Had to come into eat something....

Aaaand how about the Heat Shield?.....I just had too...

I did not use one. I still have the one that was on my old factory starter, but have not saw a need for it the last 2 years

[Loose Screw]

Brace is too short to hit either hole, I think I've seen longer ones online (?). But really this thing is so lite I'm not going to worry about it....for now.

Also, My Collection.

Anyway, smooth sailing, works good...for now.....

IMG_2003.JPG

IMG_1998.JPG

[jayoldschool]

I use the 90s Corvette mini gear reduction starter on my LT1. Much faster start, cool sound ;-)

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

^ I wasn't clear. I should have said "suspect" instead of "expect". I can count the number of times I've heard of a starter nose breaking on one hand. I would guess that that was the reason for the brace.

Thanks Steeveedee

[Loose Screw]

Yeah, the sound of this thing kind of reminds me of a Chrysler.

Aaand terms used to describe the orientation, ie "front" and "back" and "nose" of the starter......made me take pause...

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Loose Screw

Yeah, the sound of this thing kind of reminds me of a Chrysler.

Aaand terms used to describe the orientation, ie "front" and "back" and "nose" of the starter......made me take pause...

I forget where I read it, but the phrase, "When properly viewed, everything is lewd". Is that what you mean?

[Loose Screw]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I forget where I read it, but the phrase, "When properly viewed, everything is lewd". Is that what you mean?

Naw, what I mean is, are the ignition wires and V+ hooked to the front or back of the solenoid and is the "Nose" at the front or the rear of the starter...