Starter suggestions ? (74 454)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Triangle Area NC
Starter suggestions ? (74 454)
I'm in need of a starter for my BB 74. It's got a moderate compression 454 / cam etc, so I'm wondering if there's any suggestions on an appropriate starter. When the OEM version was working, it never turned the engine over very fast.
The car has Hooker side pipes which actually seem to improve access to the starter, though this may be wishful thinking :-0)
Any ideas on a good starter? Money is an object but not the only one... would I be better off sticking with the OEM ?
John
The car has Hooker side pipes which actually seem to improve access to the starter, though this may be wishful thinking :-0)
Any ideas on a good starter? Money is an object but not the only one... would I be better off sticking with the OEM ?
John
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Good advice above, Or if originality is not important the small gear reduction GM starter for late 350`s and 454`s is another choice except it is a Metric starter and requires a different set of bolts from early 454`s to late 454`s which they do have available. All stock stuff and either one will work just fine...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
This comes up a lot. The stock starter is just fine, but ALL of the connections have to be in good shape or you will have problems. I had the "slow turner" problem when I bought my car last year, and the problem turned out to be some boogered threads on the solenoid causing so-so connections. I spent $15 on a brand new solenoid (available at the local auto part store), and the problem disappeared.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: League City TX
This is what is spinning the 454 in my car.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy...Q5fAccessories
After I got the correct bolts it has worked great.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy...Q5fAccessories
After I got the correct bolts it has worked great.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Triangle Area NC
Bolts?
This is what is spinning the 454 in my car.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy...Q5fAccessories
After I got the correct bolts it has worked great.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy...Q5fAccessories
After I got the correct bolts it has worked great.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: League City TX
The bolts they supplied didnt fit the starter correctly. They seemed like they were correct, but I couldnt shim the starter anywhere that would stop it from grinding. They supplied bolts were apparently letting the starter twist under load. After a reading thread here about the subject, I bought the correct bolts from a Chevy dealer. After replacing them I havent had any trouble.
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
GM part #9000852 is a late model truck starter. It is designed for big blocks with a 14" flexplate. It also fits any BB with a 14" flywheel. Any good parts store should be able to reference the GM part # to get you a starter.
One note. You cannot use your stock bolts. The correct bolts are special with metric shanks and standard threads. GM part# for the bolts is 12338064 and you can get them from any dealer. I also modified an old starter brace, but it is not really necessary.
I have been using that starter for a couple of years and it works great. Good enough for the ZZ502, good enough for me.
Link with more info here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...n-a-454-a.html
One note. You cannot use your stock bolts. The correct bolts are special with metric shanks and standard threads. GM part# for the bolts is 12338064 and you can get them from any dealer. I also modified an old starter brace, but it is not really necessary.
I have been using that starter for a couple of years and it works great. Good enough for the ZZ502, good enough for me.
Link with more info here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...n-a-454-a.html
Last edited by SteveG75; Oct 21, 2009 at 09:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Triangle Area NC
Success
Installed the mini starter that was kindly linked to, using the GM bolts and all is well. Man does that tiny little thing crank the engine...I'm amazed.
Thanks for the tips on the bolts. The local dealer had 'em and even though the ones that came with the starter LOOK the same , they're not the same dimensionally.
This is a great forum...
John
Thanks for the tips on the bolts. The local dealer had 'em and even though the ones that came with the starter LOOK the same , they're not the same dimensionally.
This is a great forum...
John
