Front Starter Brace-Necessary?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
I never used the brace on a low or mild compression engine. I think I've only seen one aluminum nose cracked on a starter in my life and that was from a backfire from timing being way off.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
For my L-48, I am getting that message. But since I have purchased one it won't hurt to install it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock Texas
I installed my headers today and removed the starter and no brace there. It still has the original starter ( hard to believe) and no brace on it. I have had many many cars over decades and never once had a brace on a starter. The only problem is that the starter is too close to the header so I will be ordering a mini starter. But, as they stated earlier, if it makes you feel safer then by all means install one. Happy hotrodding!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 591
Likes: 3
From: Monroe Washington
I bought my vette pretty much the way it is... PO started throwing money at it , pretty much the big ticket items, then I got it and I'm doing the finishing touches... Yes, the headers are VERY close to the starter... The pics do not paint the entire picture there... And , I had to notch out about a 1/4 inch away from the bracket to get this starter to fit for some reason... Old one dropped right out ... Same replacement would NOT drop back in... Had to dremmel with a little cutting wheel...
Since the front brave was already there... I re-used it... As far as the headers and starter being so close... This starter was $49... The hi torque shorty starters looked to be $250-300... Figured I'd go this route for now and see what the longevity is on it...
Since the front brave was already there... I re-used it... As far as the headers and starter being so close... This starter was $49... The hi torque shorty starters looked to be $250-300... Figured I'd go this route for now and see what the longevity is on it...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
in 1978 my girlfriend bought a new z/28 a year later that brace fell off,2 years later the bolts backed off and the starter was hanging by the cable when she pulls in my driveway. the lesson. keep your bolts tight and you won't have a problem
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock Texas
I bought my vette pretty much the way it is... PO started throwing money at it , pretty much the big ticket items, then I got it and I'm doing the finishing touches... Yes, the headers are VERY close to the starter... The pics do not paint the entire picture there... And , I had to notch out about a 1/4 inch away from the bracket to get this starter to fit for some reason... Old one dropped right out ... Same replacement would NOT drop back in... Had to dremmel with a little cutting wheel...
Since the front brave was already there... I re-used it... As far as the headers and starter being so close... This starter was $49... The hi torque shorty starters looked to be $250-300... Figured I'd go this route for now and see what the longevity is on it...
Since the front brave was already there... I re-used it... As far as the headers and starter being so close... This starter was $49... The hi torque shorty starters looked to be $250-300... Figured I'd go this route for now and see what the longevity is on it...
Last edited by marz; Apr 29, 2014 at 09:38 PM.
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