STARTER install on a TH350??

[jess66chevy]

Anybody have pics on how to install a starter on a TH350? I am converting to a TH350 and was told that I had to change the starter? Why? So does the starter bolt up to the TH350? Thanks!!

[DPowers]

If you are switching from manual to automatic- the flywheel/flexplate will have to be changed. Mounts up the same way though.

[ol Curt]

I hate to jack the thread, but how do you know which flexplate to buy? Is it simply done by removing the flywheel and counting the teeth to get the same number?

I am going to be doing the same conversion. I can see myself going into the parts store and trying to tell some young stud what I'm doing all the while he is asking about my 250 inline 1.does it have air? NO Fuel Injection? NO Hemi? NO....you get the point.

[Tx Firefighter]

The starter does not bolt to the Turbo 350. It bolts to the block. There are threaded holes in the bottom of the block for the bolts to thread in to. That is why you need to change the starter when you do the swap. The original starter bolted to the standard trans bellhousing. Don't worry though, the bolt holes are in your block.

Curt, there are just two different flexplates you need to worry about. You need to first tell us whether your new starter has straight across bolt holes or staggered bolt holes. You will need to buy the flexplate that is appropriate for the starter. Once I know this, I can give you the part number to ask for at the parts store.

[ol Curt]

Cool, when I get that far along, I'll chime back in. Thanks for your help!


Is the difference in the starter just brands?

Ohhh, I think I see...it is based on the alignment of the holes in the block.....I think.

[jess66chevy]

TX Firefighter, how do you know if the starter has straight across bolt holes or staggered bolt holes?

[markeb01]

Following up on what Kevin said, in stock applications, there's basically two size flywheels/flexplates - 153 tooth and 168 tooth. "If" you're changing from a stick to an automatic, or the other way around and the flywheel/flexplate happens to be the same size, the same starter will work in the new application.

The problem on your setup comes in on the older installations where the original starter bolted to the bellhousing. The turbo 350 bellhousing has no such mounting provision.

If you are going to buy a new starter, I'd highly recommend one of the new design permanent magnet starters. They're smaller, lighter, more powerful and draw less amps.

The first link shows the staggered mounting holes:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PWM-9200/

The 2nd link shows straight across holes:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PWM-9000/

[70 Suburban]

if your in a build up of the engine the machine shop can drill the holes for you...

[Tx Firefighter]

Okay, I will try and clear up what I said earlier. I'm a good mechanic, but very poor with words.

Here is a picture to reference...


On the left is a typical standard trans starter. You can see the three ears where it bolts to the bellhousing.
On the right is one that bolts to the engine. Notice the two bolts pass through it vertically.

The TH350 trans has no provision for bolting the starter, so you bolt it to the block instead.

What I always do is just swap the nosecones only. The starters are identical other than the noses. Just unbolt the two little bolts and swap them over. I hate parts store starters. A huge majority of them a rebuilt with junk. I always get a used GM starter and rebuild it myself. All of the parts to rebuild one are available at any parts store. I find my rebuilts tend to last about forever.

Now, notice the right nosecone above has the two bolt holes though it ? Notice they are in a straight line ? That is a straight pattern unit which uses the small flexplate. Here is a staggered pattern unit for the large flexplate.



If you have a staggered pattern, buy a Pioneer FRA100 flexplate
If you have a straight pattern, buy a Pioneer FRA112 flexplate.

I gave the Pioneer brand part numbers because a lion's share of parts stores sell and stock Pioneer parts. My local O Reilly auto parts carries both of these numbers in stock at all times for right at 30 dollars each.

[ol Curt]

Thanks Kevin, that helps me a bunch. But the part I want to clarify. Won't the staggered or straight part be determined by where the holes are in the block? Or...are there holes there to match either or? Sorry to drag it out, I just am curious. I need to just crawl under mine tonight, but I have been working on the floor pans and will need to clean up and vacuum up some under there before I crawl under.

[jchav62]

153 tooth flexplates use the straight across pattern, 168's use the staggered. I believe most SBC's have both bolt patterns (3 bolt holes).

[Tx Firefighter]

You will have to get under there and see if your block has just the two straight holes or also a third one too.

[ol Curt]

Okie Doke

thanks!!

[jgh64pkup]

Originally Posted by ol Curt

I hate to jack the thread, but how do you know which flexplate to buy? Is it simply done by removing the flywheel and counting the teeth to get the same number?

I am going to be doing the same conversion. I can see myself going into the parts store and trying to tell some young stud what I'm doing all the while he is asking about my 250 inline 1.does it have air? NO Fuel Injection? NO Hemi? NO....you get the point.

i know what you mean on that one i made sure not to ask dumba$$ questions like that when i worked at parts plus at the age of 13!!

[ol Curt]

Well, I don't think it is all the kids fault. They are asked to input into the system based on what questions they are prompted to ask on the screen. They don't ever allow them to think for themselves so they just sell parts by what the computer tells them. One wrong keystroke and you might get a Cadillac part for a Pontiac!

Every now and then you find a sharp kid that knows cars and he can point you in the right direction right away without even looking it up. Unfortunately, those are usually parts for my daughters Honda!!

[jgh64pkup]

like me besides the honda part (hondas suck!!!!!!!!)
ive been out of the parts biz for about a year now i cant remember anything
like a wix oil filter for a sbc is a part # 51060 or something like that cant remember
sorry for the thread jack
only if jason was here

[Tx Firefighter]

Honda's suck ? They make some of the finest machines in the world. I love my old trucks but GM could have paid better attention to Honda and maybe they wouldn't be Government Motors nowadays.

[ol Curt]

I know, sorry Jess66, we jacked this thing up real high!! Hopefully you got something out of it and aren't too p***ed at us.

[jess66chevy]

Its cool....I am reading and learning. Another question though........it appears that I have a starter with the staggered pattern. So it will bolt to the block when I put in the TH350 right???

[ImportThis]

if you want to go with a PMGR (permanent magnet gear reduction starter), figure out if you are running the large or small flywheel. when you decide, go to a local parts store, or a local starter and electric shop such as the one i work at, and ask for Lester #6449 for the staggered bolt hole, or #6470 for straight across(short bolt, long bolt). If the YooHoos know anything about what they are doing, they should be able to cross the numbers and get you the right starter.

TX, i believe the starter on the left in the picture is a 283 starter.

[jgh64pkup]

sorry tx i meant for it to be towards the tuner crowd (yes i know there not on this forum) with their pissed off mosquitos

[jess66chevy]

Guys check this out and tell me if this starter would fit?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

I have the staggered style starter. It doesnt look simular to this one on ebay for sale. But it says that it will fit plexplates with 168 teeth??? Will this bolt up?

[jgh64pkup]

what engine does it have if its not a 400 then it will work
this one should fit 168 and 153 teeth (see the dual bolt pattern)

[jess66chevy]

I have a 283. It just looks like it will not bolt on cause the way it compares to the staggered style bolt location. So it will bolt to the block with no problems?

[jgh64pkup]

yep