Noy2014

My starter went bad. I've been reading the forums, and I think I'm leaning towards a high torque aftermarket starers (although enough say stay with a stock model).

So I was going to go with a GM mini starter, runs about $250; when I stumbled on this;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=150584289969

What do you guys think? Does the product seem reliable to you?

BTW, what is the flywheel tooth-count on my '68 BB automatic?

gkull

Your tooth count is 168. But that starter is for both sizes. No that is not the Nippon Denzo which GM used all all the higher performance motors. But it should work fine. This unit is rated at 1.9 hp. Look online at summit racing & GM parts and compare. My mini starter is something like 4.3 hp or something like that and it has been on my last 4-5 motors and still working fine

harveyhalabookie

Ebay is always "buyer beware". I always ask plenty of questions before bidding. On the plus side, the seller has 100% feedback and Ebay is great with resolving issues. Good luck!

Noy2014

Well, more hp always sounds good! lol But I really don't see the hp spec displayed on any of the models I'm reviewing. What's up with that?? Why isn't that a generally displayed #?

Noy2014

I was more referring to some of the other ones I found online;

Such as these; http://www.summitracing.com/search/P...h/?Ns=Rank|Asc

Any idea on the hp here? And what is a BEST hp unit to buy?

gkull

That e-bay thing is from a company. Maybe try to find out about them and deal directly. That is a good price and an older 427 should be easy to spin

Jeff_Keryk

I put a Summit mini-starters on my L36 years ago. I used to eat starters and batteries every year (seemed like it anyways). Problem solved. And they are sooooo easy to install.

7T1vette

You say your "starter quit". What's wrong with it? Did the windings fry? If not, chances are that it just needs new brushes and/or a new solenoid and it will work just fine. If there is a real mechanical problem with it, then it should be replaced. Otherwise, just rebuild it for a few bucks and a little elbow grease.

v2racing

I bought a mini starter off Ebay 5 years ago for my 64 SS. It still works perfect. I'll probably do the same for my 75 Roadster project.

DRIVESHAFT

I cant comment on that one, but I do have good things to say about this one - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-B...ht_3411wt_1165
I know it looks too cheap to be worth a darn, and I only bought one after hearing good things on another site.
I have one on a 10:1 compression 468 with the timing locked at 38°, and it cranks just like a stock engine.

Grayay

I bought this one last year and it works great!

jackson

if warranty matters:
go local parts house or starter/alt shop ... get one for a 97-98 GM tahoe-suburban w/ V8 sbc or bbc.

it'll have permanent mags (no field coils), is small&lite, fit 14" 168T fw, have planetary gear reduction, have whatever warranty your local store shop offers ... pay for lifetime version if they offer it. It'll look & function like driveshaft's http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-B...ht_3411wt_1165

my local alt shop sells same for $90 but I have to go get em. Fleabay $60 delivered ... I'd probably try it.

larrywalk

Looks to me like it will fit the staggered bolt pattern for a 14" 168 tooth flywheel. Most Chevy blocks I've seen are drilled for both the straight and staggered starter bolt pattern (One outer hole and two optional inner holes, depending on flywheel size). The 168 tooth flywheel takes the staggered holes, the 153 tooth flywheel takes the inline holes.

gdh

Need a mini starter myself, where did you get one with so much hp? I'll have to take the old reman'd off and make sure which mini to order.

fauxrs

Thats about the same price I paid for my starter that I picked up at the pomona swap meet, brnad new mini starter that has been on my car now for 7 years without any problem. So I wouldnt say too good to be true

Ben Lurkin

I've been using these lately:

http://www.dbelectrical.com/p-5809-s...0-sdr0031.aspx

Lots of folks over on the Chevelles board have been running them with great success on motors bigger than mine (540 ci). This version also has the R terminal on the solenoid which is useful if you're still running the older points style ignition.

Edit: Same one Driveshaft has except it's directly from their website. Save $0.05!

boatdoc

I use these guys, dbelectrical, all the time for my boat repair shop and have not had one problem with any starter, alt or power trim pump I've bought from them. Their shipping is same day and very reasonable.
Very freindly on the phone and know their product well.

VCuomo

The seller says this one is a "Hitachi style" unit - don't know what make it is, but I use the real Hitachi ones in my '72 and '73 and they work fine, no issues.

johnmb

Likewise... I've got a 10..4:1 468 and it cranks great.

Extremely pleased with this product.

John

Cmanhome

This may not be true for you, but I bought a $64 one last week and it had starting issues. It would spin over the first time but not any more after that unless a battery charger was hooked up to it. I replace all wiring from + and - cables, new battery including a red top Optima. Still had same problem, so I bought a new one from a local performance store and it has worked great since.
cmanhome