New Starter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Federal Way WA
New Starter
It's time for a new starter, but I'm lost on which one I should buy. I've heard that the newer mini starters are great, but I also have read that they burn out easier. The larger starters I've read are pretty reliable but are prone to overheating. I can get a starter from Autozone or O'Reilly auto for about $45, but that's the big one. Summitracing has a boat load of the mini ones, and to be honest I have no idea what I'm looking for when it comes to those.
What do y'all recommend? The newer mini starters, or the regular, larger starters? Do y'all have a brand, or a part number that you prefer? This is for a 78 vette. 350 motor.
Thanks in advance!
-Damon
What do y'all recommend? The newer mini starters, or the regular, larger starters? Do y'all have a brand, or a part number that you prefer? This is for a 78 vette. 350 motor.
Thanks in advance!
-Damon
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,474
Likes: 993
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Not a fan of anything electrical being rebuilt unless it's the oem component, not buying a rebuilt unit. I have a 78 L-82 4 speed whose OEM starter which was tired in the early 90's. I have no experience with any of the mini starters that are on the market so maybe someone else can chime in. However, I did decide in 91/92 to have my OEM starter rebuilt by a local machine shop at that time for $50 and the starter has been perfect for about 20 years-never a hiccup. I would imagine having the oem starter or the starter in the car now rebuilt (not buying an unknown component) would cost about $80 today-just a guess-if you have someone who would do it.
My only other experience with starters is on my 2001 pontiac grand prix that had a starter that was beginning to hang up returning to the neutral position (gear) after it started the car. I would get a slight grinding sound from the return spring pulling the gear back from the flywheel after releasing the ignition key back to the run position and did purchase a NEW auto zone starter with a lifetime warranty for about $159 dollars. Still perfect today with about 50,000 miles on it.
Hope that helps!
My only other experience with starters is on my 2001 pontiac grand prix that had a starter that was beginning to hang up returning to the neutral position (gear) after it started the car. I would get a slight grinding sound from the return spring pulling the gear back from the flywheel after releasing the ignition key back to the run position and did purchase a NEW auto zone starter with a lifetime warranty for about $159 dollars. Still perfect today with about 50,000 miles on it.
Hope that helps!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
Is your engine stock? Do you have headers? The original starter is more than adequate for a stock engine. The parts that wear the most are the solenoid, the bendix, the bushings and the brushes. The stock starter is sometimes affected by heat soak from headers but not stock cast iron exhaust manifolds. If you can rebuild the original starter this is what I would recommend. Good luck with it. mike...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 672
From: Northeast
I have a 78 L82 4spd and had my starter rebuilt for $65. Company has been in business since 1948.
I really don't trust the stuff rebuilt by AZ anymore. I was out in the office parking lot exchanging a crapped out alternator after 3 weeks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 658
From: Thunder Bay
Buy a started for a 1996 Chev full size truck. That's what I put in my '79 automatic. You might have to do a little research to make sure the 4 spd. and the automatic use the same starter, but I'm pretty sure they do.
Its the smaller gear reductions style starter. Much easier to install and work around, lighter, and more reliable. And they aren't susceptible to the heat soak problem so common on these cars. Works with a weak battery, and shaves about 20 lbs off the car. Much better technology all around. If you're not worried about originality, there's no reason to put a 30 lb. antique in there.
Its the smaller gear reductions style starter. Much easier to install and work around, lighter, and more reliable. And they aren't susceptible to the heat soak problem so common on these cars. Works with a weak battery, and shaves about 20 lbs off the car. Much better technology all around. If you're not worried about originality, there's no reason to put a 30 lb. antique in there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
'Buy a started for a 1996 Chev full size truck. That's what I put in my '79 automatic. You might have to do a little research to make sure the 4 spd. and the automatic use the '
I used one from a 98 c1500 chev truck w/ 5.7 engine ,gear reductionstarter. from orielly, works great.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1920&ppt=C0330
I used one from a 98 c1500 chev truck w/ 5.7 engine ,gear reductionstarter. from orielly, works great.http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1920&ppt=C0330
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 9
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Get the mini starter. They are lighter, better, easier to put on (especially if you have headers, and get the starter a little further from the headers. Install a heat shield around it and it will last much longer (if you have headers).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
I have a starter from a late 90s Tahoe. it's so much smaller and lighter. fits between the long tube headers with no problems. I did have to grind down the housing a little to fit the hole in the bellhousing cover, and I had to find to correct starter bolts too
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,474
Likes: 993
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Like I said above, if you know you have the OEM starter I would have it rebuilt for short money and be on your way. My rebuilt OEM starter is 20 years old now but for those of you who chimed in about the mid 90's truck starters (new not rebuilt) that are smaller than the OEM and probably fairly inexpensive, I appreciate that tip which I did not know. Thanx.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
you need to spec. when you order it that its for an auto, other then that bolt it in , put the wires in their original locations. now would be a good time to install a quick disconnect if you plan other mods.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
My 68 L36 used to eat a rebuilt starter and battery every year, or it seemed that way. I put in a Summit mini starter. It cranks that hi compression BB like nothing. Problem solved. That's my experience.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Fairview PA
