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I installed a 700r4 in my '66 327/300. I am looking at the Stephenville Starter Chevy V8 Mini Starter 2.0 kW SBC &BBC from Speedway. It runs about $200 with tax & free shipping.
Does anyone have any experience with this one or can suggest another one? My factory starter needs a rebuild, so I will get that done and put it away and use the mini since I drive the car almost every day around town.
I discussed that with Kent Eismann, the shop I use in Jupiter, at his shop. Since I drive it every day and I need the original fuel pump rebuilt also he suggested using a mini until I decide to sell and have both pieces newly rebuilt for the next owner.
I don't have a problem with that since the rebuild takes a while on both parts and, unfortunately the P/S pump is leaking a bit, so I need to to that, too, which is fairly expensive (labor).
Budget concerns arise since I am retired and can't seem to get a job (age discrimination), so it is going to be one-at-time for the rebuilds. I can afford the mini now, so that is the thinking at this point, but I will have it rebuilt eventually. Thanks for your post!
I have one on my ‘64. What ignition do you have? If stock, you will need either one with the terminal to provide 12v to the coil during cranking or the diode to do the same thing.
I discussed that with Kent Eismann, the shop I use in Jupiter, at his shop. Since I drive it every day and I need the original fuel pump rebuilt also he suggested using a mini until I decide to sell and have both pieces newly rebuilt for the next owner.
I don't have a problem with that since the rebuild takes a while on both parts and, unfortunately the P/S pump is leaking a bit, so I need to to that, too, which is fairly expensive (labor).
Budget concerns arise since I am retired and can't seem to get a job (age discrimination), so it is going to be one-at-time for the rebuilds. I can afford the mini now, so that is the thinking at this point, but I will have it rebuilt eventually. Thanks for your post!
Cheers!
Rock auto prices using all standard motor product parts
for a total of 43.70. I will say 15 dollars shipping is 58.70 that is well under your 200 starter. all this can be rebuilt in a afternoon.
What the man said, and it is easy to rebuild. It might take you 4 hours max if you struggle with it. The original starter will last as long as the engine in most cases. Mini starters are later technology, but not really needed if you are on a budget.
NAPA or your local parts shack can probably get the parts for about the same $$ when you consider the shipping.
Last edited by R66; May 22, 2024 at 09:18 PM.
Reason: NAPA
The modern starters come with modern solenoids which won't engage for "low voltage" which means you'll end up installing a relay to bypass your ignition switch to get battery voltage directly to the solenoid rather than thru the ignition switch. If you're OK with that, then great. If you don't want to have to add a relay, then rebuild the factory starter and use it.
When I installed a new 427 in my car I was looking for a small/light high torque starter to use with my new engine. I was up at the GM Nationals (basically Chevrolet) at Carlisle back in 2019 and saw this one on a table for $80 It looked good and the price was right so I bought it and installed it. The wiring was a bit different than the OE BB starter but no issues with it. It has worked flawlessly since its installation. The thing I like most about it is come installation and removal, I can hold it in place easily with one hand which makes a big difference. Here are a couple of pictures of it. It seems to be an off-brand but I am really happy with it. C.J.
We had a mini on our 3.8 l Jaguar E-Type. Some comments... Very much lighter than the super heavy Lucas in a Jag, would be ditto for our big Delco's. Ours was made up of goodness knows what, possibly USED! Asian parts inside. They were either selected or rebuilt, so not a certain no-go, but a possible concern. The high amp connection was on the block side, very close to a ground out, but clear by enough. That was just stupid, and there was no reason for doing that - just a potential issue, especially on install - when you put the cable and nut on, you're VERY close to a ground out if your battery is connected hot. The starter itself worked great, and was a huge improvement over the "Ford Style" inertial that the original had. On the Jag, the bevel on the ring gear was on the wrong side, as the original engage was rear to front, but this didn't cause any problem. This story merely indicates that aftermarket stuff seems to always have "issues", which range from minor to Mickey Mouse stupidity, so make sure your choice is a real improvement or merely switching trouble like squeezing a water balloon and transfering the problem elsewhere.
I just put in a Powermaster 9202, around the same price. I think the automatic may call for the 9200, but you should double check that. I posted pictures compared to the original starter on the thread below. No issues at all and it does have the (R) terminal so it is plug and play. It wasn't listed as a "mini" but it is half the size and weight of the original.
First, thanks for the many posts and all the inside information. I will have to look into the self-rebuild. Since I have to take the car to a friend's house who has a lift to do the work--I don't trust myself withe jack stands in my garage--I would have to do the work there, which, based on the post, might take me a couple of hours. I will ask my friend if he minds me taking that long as he usually works on his car on week-ends since he still works.
Regarding the posts about voltage, I will have to check that. I have put them on GS 455 motors with no issues, but we all know that C-2's are special cars that have many different issues, etc.
I am still undecided but will know more after I speak to my friend about tying up his lift for an afternoon during his time off. Also, having the starter rebuilt by a vendor typically includes a total refinish of all the parts to give it a "new" look, which may or may not be important since my car is a driver, not a show car.
Thanks again for all the posts, inside information, and tips. I will post again when I know the outcome.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
Mini Starter
What the man said, and it is easy to rebuild. It might take you 4 hours max if you struggle with it. The original starter will last as long as the engine in most cases. Mini starters are later technology, but not really needed if you are on a budget.
