Help ID Motor: Need Starter - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

adis · 07-15-2025, 10:53 AM

I am swapping a carbed Vortec 5.7 for my ‘80 K30s 350. The staggered 9-tooth starter from the 350 doesn’t seem to work on the 168 tooth 5.7 flex plate. The pinion gear hits and grinds. Tried shimming every which way, no luck. The 5.7 has holes for both straight and staggered starters. Does anyone know the correct starter for this motor (part number).

It’s possible I dont have the motor identified correctly. It’s an 880 casting with the following stamped code: K0123FKA. It’s a Vortec just don’t know the year and application. Any help getting the right starter is appreciated - mark

Shifty One · 07-15-2025, 01:02 PM

You could use a permanent magnet style starter (NAPA p/n#244-1603 for example). Added bonus, more header clearance.

Pontiac1976 · 07-16-2025, 08:34 PM

Well 87 was the first yr for Vortec. But you mostly need a 152-tooth flex plate starter smaller housing.

07-15-2025, 10:53 AM	#1
adis Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: New Richmond, OH Posts: 104	Help ID Motor: Need Starter I am swapping a carbed Vortec 5.7 for my ‘80 K30s 350. The staggered 9-tooth starter from the 350 doesn’t seem to work on the 168 tooth 5.7 flex plate. The pinion gear hits and grinds. Tried shimming every which way, no luck. The 5.7 has holes for both straight and staggered starters. Does anyone know the correct starter for this motor (part number). It’s possible I dont have the motor identified correctly. It’s an 880 casting with the following stamped code: K0123FKA. It’s a Vortec just don’t know the year and application. Any help getting the right starter is appreciated - mark __________________ '80 K30 c&c std cab drw (CKM33AB 10000 GVW) D60(4.10)/carbed L31/400/205/14

07-16-2025, 08:34 PM	#3
Pontiac1976 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 803	Re: Help ID Motor: Need Starter Well 87 was the first yr for Vortec. But you mostly need a 152-tooth flex plate starter smaller housing. __________________ 1977 REG cab Long Bed with a 1984 Front Clip, 82 305 .60 over 9.0.1 flat top pistons, 4bbl, TH350, w/84 SS-intake & cam , w/ 1977 big block rad, 1975 gear box, 1984 master w/ metric fittings top & SAE fitting @ portion block, 1975 3.42 gear open diff. Duel 77-87 Factory air cleaner, duel inlet from rad support . Down sized 9' to new 8' Steel flat bed Was a 77 454 w/308 gear. Taken out 550 lbs. up front with motor clip change.

07-15-2025, 01:02 PM	#2
Shifty One Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 970	Re: Help ID Motor: Need Starter You could use a permanent magnet style starter (NAPA p/n#244-1603 for example). Added bonus, more header clearance. __________________ 1987 V20 farm-hand rescue 1998 C2500 lot-rot rescue



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