Starter Question
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
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From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Starter Question
I have a '75 that I am converting from auto to manual. Is the starter the same or is there one designed for manual transmission ? Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
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From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2012
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: myrtle beach sc
Army
There are two different sized flywheels. 327's and automatics have 153 tooth flywheel/flex plates. Manual 350 flywheels are 168 tooth, except for L-88's. But I am not an expert on this. There are two different starter mounting bolt locations between the two sizes. Lou.
Last edited by loup68; Oct 14, 2015 at 10:47 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I read that the manual 350 is 168 tooth.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
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From: S Nevada
Many gen 1 small blocks are drilled for both a straight starter mount or an offset starter mount. My 72 block is original, it had an offset starter originally. I'm using a mini starter with a straight mount. It cranks my 10:1 compression engine very fast, and without any hot engine drama the big bulky original style starters are known for. Verify that whatever starter u buy will fit your flywheel. Most mini's will fit either the 153 or 168 tooth flywheels.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Just a follow up. I had to use the starter for a manual transmission. The one I had for an automatic would not fit into the bell housing
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
I took a 78 starter with an auto part number and had it converted to manual while maintaining the date code and the nose had to be replaced for the manual. Kept the auto nose.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
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From: SW Florida.
it isn't the trans, it is the flywheel diameter. there are both auto and man trans flex plates and flywheels out there in both 153 and 168 tooth. the trans you got came with the smaller diameter starter wheel and needed the different starter nose. i think in most cases one could get a 168 tooth starter wheel that would fit their converter and crank flange. i just realized...C3 is all 2 piece seal engines at least as built. and these newer transmissions come with flexplates that are all designed for 1-piece seal cranks.
Last edited by derekderek; Oct 18, 2015 at 06:09 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
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From: Taylor Michigan
this is true, but not necessary .....with dummies behind the counter it would be necessary for individual listings or they would never sell a starter.....
by the way they are the same for some applications.......auto or stick........take your old one with you as the fit is the same
want to have fun? ........ask for a heavy duty....
1975, 350 and 454 starters are the same look and fit except the HD units are only OE on 454`s but fit the SB`s
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
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From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
GM Six cylinder and eight cylinder also use different size flywheels so there are two starter bolt patterns . One bolt pattern is straight across and the other one for eight cylinder is at an angle . But the starters will fit standard or automatic but it is determined by 6 or 8 cylinder.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
It is determined by the flywheel diameter. These trannys are from later model cars and you need to obtain a 2-piece seal flex plate that will,fit the new transmission's torque converter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 504
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
BJ1K, I beg to differ, and agree with derekderek. My 68 had a 327 and 153 tooth flywheel. The starter bolts are straight across. The 350 has the staggered bolt pattern starter, for the larger 168 tooth flywheel and also has a larger bell housing. Lou.