NJCRUISER

Does the 427 L72 motor in a 66 come wth a 153 or a 168 tooth flywheel. I want to replace my stock starter wth an aftermarket and need that info. Thanks.

magicv8

L72? Say what?? IMO Unless you are positive that the drivetrain setup is original (after 30 years), the 11 inch clutch/flywheel setup uses a starter with a small nose. If you are stuck, the noses interchange. The starter bolt pattern does not. Straight or stagger bolt pattern are the alternatives, although some starter noses accomodate both patterns.

PS all 66big blocks used an 11" clutch with a 14" diameter 168 tooth flywheel, EXCEPT L-88 (which used a 10.4" clutch with a 12-1/2" , 153 tooth flywheel)

Vette-66

My 66 427 has a 168 tooth flywheel, 10.4" clutch disk, Hays 3-finger clutch and a Chevy starter that has a cast iron nose.

NJCRUISER

Well, here are the facts. I actually have what was a 1966 427/425 hp rdster which now has and has had for many years a 1968 L89 block and heads with many power mods. (540 hp) including a centerforce hd clutch. What I do know is that the weber flywheel is mated to my buddy's starter which is an oem one from a 1967 427/435 vette. And that is what makes it 168 tooth. (right?) Whew, see why my original post was so much clearer! Anyhow, the portion of this article below also helped. Bottom line is, My pal wants his starter back and I figure a new powermaster retrofit is the way to go. Thanks.

Starting in 1962 there are two flywheels used -- 168 tooth and 153 tooth. The 168 tooth wheel used 10-1/2" or 11" clutches but the 153 tooth used only the 10-1/2" or smaller clutch. Also starting in 1962 the starters are mounted on the block. Starters, drives and solenoids are essentially the same but there are two end castings used to correctly position the starter relative to the flywheel size. 1962 and newer V8's have three starter bolt holes in the block. Only two are used to mount the starter. Starter end castings vary with flywheel diameter. The starter casting with bolts in line (at right angle to the engine certerline) is for 153 tooth Flywheel. The starter casting with bolts offset from a right angle to the crank is for the 168 tooth flywheel. Also starting in 1962 the bellhousings are die cast aluminum -- the 4-11/16" bore was most common. There were some 1962-1971 aluminum bellhousings that were used with light duty transmission -- these had a 4-3/16" bore and were used with 153 tooth Flywheels. The 168 tooth flywheel will not fit in these bellhousings.