Did I get the wrong starter?
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Peabody Ma.
Did I get the wrong starter?
I ordered this starter for my 81 with a manual trans http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...mZ260084456096
Is this the correct one? reason I ask I have another mini starter with a stargered bolt pattern that I had in place but couldnt get fit correctly! now I am confused as to what starter I really need. any help
Is this the correct one? reason I ask I have another mini starter with a stargered bolt pattern that I had in place but couldnt get fit correctly! now I am confused as to what starter I really need. any help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
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From: Austin TX
If you have a 14" 168 tooth flywheel you need the starter with the staggered (offset) mounting holes. With the smaller set-up, 12.75" 153 tooth flywheel, you need the starter with the holes that are straight across from each other. I believe all Vettes from 69-81 got the larger flywheel,..someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Mini-starter,..good call!...especially with headers.
Mini-starter,..good call!...especially with headers.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Taylor Michigan
It will probably fit, but you should have purchased the small GM starter instead of the one you did. The GM starter is the staggered bolt style fitting the late 80`s-90`s and is a small permanent magnet style. A light weight powerful starter for the late models and will even fit a 454.
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From: Peabody Ma.
I have A GM staggered I tried to install it but it did not seem to fit at all, the nose of the starter did not seem to be even close to the fly wheel. Are the blocks drilled for both? Why wouldnt the other starter fit properly? What the difference between too? Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Little Rock AR
The issues come from having the wrong starter nose cone for the stock bellhousing/flywheel parts. You can not mix and match these. You have to have either all large parts or all small parts that work together.
Those aftermarket starters have several bolt patterns and no nose cone so they may fit more applications than just one.
-Mark.
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From: Taylor Michigan
There are two OEM staggered bolt starters, actually three as the later is metric but sometimes gets installed in the wrong 350 . The ones with a 'aluminum' nose should be the correct application for a 81 which by the way is actually a metric starter. The other is for 396/427`s and has a 'cast iron' nose. This should not be correct for a 81 SB.
PS, if you don't have a 81 engine it may be a different ball game. Early, 63 and later starters are a straight across pattern. Then earlier than this is still a different one as it bolts to the bell-housing not the engine.
PS, if you don't have a 81 engine it may be a different ball game. Early, 63 and later starters are a straight across pattern. Then earlier than this is still a different one as it bolts to the bell-housing not the engine.
Last edited by Ironcross; Feb 10, 2007 at 03:13 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Peabody Ma.
I do have the stock 81 engine! and when I had my GM mini in place it seemed that nose was to short to reach the fly wheel? Im at a loss, Now I have to starters that may not work? IF in fact they are wrong C3 parts for here they come.
