rongold

There's a thread discussing different bell housing, flywheel & starter combos currently running here. I have a question about the cast iron starter nose.

I have 1 starter in my 67 427 vert, and 3 spare starters. All 4 of the noses are the same--they have 1 hole that goes through the nose, and the second hole is actually made up of 2 loops that protrude out of the other side of the nose. Most of the bolt shank is exposed between the loops. I have had the lower loop break off of a couple of noses in the past, without going nuts on the bolt.

Did GM at one time make a cast iron nose with 2 full holes--not 1 hole and 2 loops ??? I could swear that some pictures I've seen have 2 actual full length holes in the nose. I think I've also seen noses with 3 holes. Here's a picture of the nose that I'm talking about. All 4 of my starters have this nose. Notice that 1 hole is totally enclosed and the other is made up of 2 loops.

Ironcross

Those starters pictured are for 396-427 chevy engines. A HD model with the same nose can effectivly handle well over 600HP and are much better than those jJpan converted mini starters. Identical starter for the L88`s and ZL1`s. Both the 2 bolt and 3 bolt are interchangeable most of the time.

knight37128

You can still purchase the nose. It works for me.

DZAUTO

I don't know which nose is which vintage. I have seen iron noses with two full holes, one full hole and two loops (like the one above), and 3 holes. But I don't know which nose was originally on which starter at any given era or engine application. I just know that for the big flywheel and 621 type housing, a cast iron starter nose is all that will fit into the starter bulge of the housing.

magicv8

Do you use a torque wrench and does your starter have the support bracket holding up the front end?

DZAUTO

I failed to mention that probably 90% (or more) of the cast iron starter noses (the ones that bolt to the block) that I have ever seen, are of the type pictured above.

rongold

Yes, I used a torque wrench (30 FT/LB) and I have the support bracket. When they did break, it was when installing the starter, not while it was already installed. It seemed like some of those loops cant take the tension at 30 FT/LB. They're only about 1/4" thick.

magicv8

rongold - Thanks for telling me. I have a few starter noses hanging on the garage wall. I'll be sure to continue to use the aluminum ones.

voltal

any of you guys want to part with offset iron nose,let me know, i need one, thanks billy

rongold

Well, I've been doing some research, and came up with 2 different GM part numbers for the cast iron starter nose. In my original GM Corvette parts book covering 53-82 Corvette the part number for the nose is 1984098, and it's listed as fitting 66-69 427 w/1107365 starter, and 70-72 350 & 454 with manual trans.

In my passenger car parts book the part number for the nose is 1969309, and it fits 65-69 passenger 396, 409, 427 & 66-69 Chevelle, Camaro, & Nova with 350 & 396 manual trans (1107365 starter is referenced to that nose also).

Another book I have that covers 46-64 Chevy passenger also lists that 1969309 nose as fitting 57-61 passenger with turboglide trans, 63 passenger 409 w/powerglide, and 64 all passenger 409.

So, evidently the cast iron nose had at least 2 different part numbers through the 60's & 70's, and may even have a different part number today if it's still available from GM. That's probably why 3 distinct versions of that nose have been seen--one with 1 hole & 2 loops, another with 2 full length holes, and another with 3 holes.

RON

DZAUTO

Now keep in mind that there is the VERY FIRST style cast iron starter nose for the bell housings which had the starter mounted to the bell housing instead of the bottom of the block. That nose is TOTALLY different, BUT, it is still for the 168 tooth flywheel.

Ironcross

This above is absolutly correct. And no one should be braking the noses on install unless there is a pre existing crack in it. One other point however, the aluminum noses cannot be substituted for this starter because of the bell housing.