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I have a '69 small block original engine and I went to replace my starter this week.
I pulled out the old one and it had only 2 mounting bolts. The starter had 3 holes for bolts, as did the replacement starter from my local parts store.
I also noticed that the block had 3 bolt holes.
When I went to mount the new starter, the 3 bolt holes wouldn't align, only 2 would, which is probably why the prior owner only had 2 bolts mounting the old starter.
See the photo of how one of the 3 holes doesn't line up. You can see the 3rd hole peaking at the top right.
Any clue if the new starter has one hole off, or if the block was machined wrong?
Or any other clue?
No telling how long the old starter was mointed with only 2 bolts, but I do know that there are 2-bolt starters for the '69, so I am figuring I should be ok with 2 out of 3 bolts securing my starter again, right?
Thanks for the feedback.
I'm mainly curious because when I first went to get a replacement starter, I told the guy it was a 2-bolt (since I only removed 2 bolts). The only choices for a '69 SBC were based on 2 or 3 bolts. The 2-bolt one he sold me didn't fit - the snout was a little too big to fit into the bell housing. When I returned it and we compared it to the original, it was clear there were 3 bolt holes in it.
So, one more day to get the 3-bolt replacement delivered, and I even went to the HD to get a new 3rd Bolt.
When I went to install it, the snout fit up fine, but the bolt hole pattern was off, shown with the yellow circle below.
The 3rd bolt hole did not align with the 3rd hole in the block.
So - I've got a 3-bolt Starter, but only able to use 2 bolts.
Ponderous!
It depends on the flywheel size. So that starter can fit more than one car. On other cars they use that unused hole you have on your car, but they have a different one empty.
There should also be a brace on the rear of the starter to the block. Don't forget to put it back or add it if it's missing. Jerry
^^^^^ This ^^^^^^^
The front bracket not only takes some of the stress off the starter bolts, but it also acts as an excellent GRD source. A lot of those braces get tossed by wanna-be mechanics. Mine was missing also.
I found a used one on Ebay for < $10. Try Ebay Motors, Car & Truck Parts, then enter SBC starter brace. Or Corvette Starter Bracket.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Jun 15, 2023 at 09:01 PM.
It depends on the flywheel size. So that starter can fit more than one car. On other cars they use that unused hole you have on your car, but they have a different one empty.
Thanks for the feedback.
I'm mainly curious because when I first went to get a replacement starter, I told the guy it was a 2-bolt (since I only removed 2 bolts). The only choices for a '69 SBC were based on 2 or 3 bolts. The 2-bolt one he sold me didn't fit - the snout was a little too big to fit into the bell housing. When I returned it and we compared it to the original, it was clear there were 3 bolt holes in it.
So, one more day to get the 3-bolt replacement delivered, and I even went to the HD to get a new 3rd Bolt.
When I went to install it, the snout fit up fine, but the bolt hole pattern was off, shown with the yellow circle below.
The 3rd bolt hole did not align with the 3rd hole in the block.
So - I've got a 3-bolt Starter useful resource, but only able to use 2 bolts.
Ponderous!
Starter Bolt Pattern Question
