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Oh snap...did I just make a huge mistake? Flywheels and starters question.

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Old 06-28-2014, 01:12 AM
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mrscott25
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Default Oh snap...did I just make a huge mistake? Flywheels and starters question.

OOOPS!

Engine swap for my 81. New BP 355 motor.

New motor needs a weighted flywheel. I put a 153 tooth weighted flywheel on. BUT ordered a new starter for my original 168 Tooth 1981.

Of course, when I went to try to start everything went fine, but the teeth on the starter do not engage the flywheel.

What do I do? Can I get a starter designed for a 153 tooth or do I have to pull everything out and put a 168 tooth weighted flywheel on? God I hope I can just put a different starter in!

I suspect if I can put a different starter on I will need to swap out the torque converter cover which is not too big of a deal.

Damn I feel stupid for not noticing this sooner....please advise.
Old 06-28-2014, 01:43 AM
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68Thunder427
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Originally Posted by mrscott25
OOOPS!

Engine swap for my 81. New BP 355 motor.

New motor needs a weighted flywheel. I put a 153 tooth weighted flywheel on. BUT ordered a new starter for my original 168 Tooth 1981.

Of course, when I went to try to start everything went fine, but the teeth on the starter do not engage the flywheel.

What do I do? Can I get a starter designed for a 153 tooth or do I have to pull everything out and put a 168 tooth weighted flywheel on? God I hope I can just put a different starter in!

I suspect if I can put a different starter on I will need to swap out the torque converter cover which is not too big of a deal.

Damn I feel stupid for not noticing this sooner....please advise.
What configuration for the starter bolts does your engine block have. Original GM blocks typically had provisions for both staggered or straight. A 168 tooth is staggered bolt and 153 is straight bolt pattern. The tooth count on the starter is the same for either 153 or 168. The difference in the flywheel is 153 12.8 diameter (10.4 clutch) and 168 14.1 (11 clutch).

Last edited by 68Thunder427; 06-28-2014 at 01:59 AM.
Old 06-28-2014, 02:00 AM
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mrscott25
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Originally Posted by 68Thunder427
What configuration for the starter bolts does your engine block have. A 168 tooth is staggered bolt and 153 is straight bolt pattern. This matters if you are wanting to use a stock starter.
The block has three holes. Two are in a straight line on either side of the "hole" that the starter gear goes through and the third is about an inch back on the inboard side. The starter for the 81 was staggered and used two long bolts of the same length. There was also a support bracket that mounts to the block on the rear of the starter (motor side). BP sent three bolts of different lengths with the new engine. Only one was long enough to work. I suspect that means they intended for me to put the straight bolt style starter on.

At this point, i don't care if the starter is stock. Really dont mind getting a different starter if I can avoid pulling the tranny out to change the flywheel.

Is there any reason I cannot or should not just switch the starter for the straight style at this point? Should I expect any problems from the smaller 152 tooth style flywheel? For what it is worth, the torque converter bolted on properly.
Old 06-28-2014, 02:09 AM
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68Thunder427
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Originally Posted by mrscott25
The block has three holes. Two are in a straight line on either side of the "hole" that the starter gear goes through and the third is about an inch back on the inboard side. The starter for the 81 was staggered and used two long bolts of the same length. There was also a support bracket that mounts to the block on the rear of the starter (motor side). BP sent three bolts of different lengths with the new engine. Only one was long enough to work. I suspect that means they intended for me to put the straight bolt style starter on.

At this point, i don't care if the starter is stock. Really dont mind getting a different starter if I can avoid pulling the tranny out to change the flywheel.

Is there any reason I cannot or should not just switch the starter for the straight style at this point? Should I expect any problems from the smaller 152 tooth style flywheel? For what it is worth, the torque converter bolted on properly.
153 tooth starter with straight line bolt holes will fix your problem. They are common for SBC. Just go to the local parts store and they should have one in stock. The 153 will be one inch closer to the block and make up the 1 inch gap you have now with the 168.
Old 06-28-2014, 02:23 AM
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68Thunder427
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This starter should work for you but measure the distance between the bolt holes straight across and double check. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/t...5-P#fragment-2
Old 06-28-2014, 02:37 AM
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Originally Posted by 68Thunder427
This starter should work for you but measure the distance between the bolt holes straight across and double check. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/t...5-P#fragment-2
Excellent...thanks for the help!!!
Old 06-28-2014, 02:43 AM
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Originally Posted by mrscott25
The block has three holes. Two are in a straight line on either side of the "hole" that the starter gear goes through and the third is about an inch back on the inboard side. The starter for the 81 was staggered and used two long bolts of the same length. There was also a support bracket that mounts to the block on the rear of the starter (motor side). BP sent three bolts of different lengths with the new engine. Only one was long enough to work. I suspect that means they intended for me to put the straight bolt style starter on.

At this point, i don't care if the starter is stock. Really dont mind getting a different starter if I can avoid pulling the tranny out to change the flywheel.

Is there any reason I cannot or should not just switch the starter for the straight style at this point? Should I expect any problems from the smaller 152 tooth style flywheel? For what it is worth, the torque converter bolted on properly.
I looked up this BP engine http://www.blueprintengines.com/inde...ase-bp35511ct1 and it says to use an externally balanced FLEXPLATE (auto tranny uses flexplate manual uses flywheel) which you got and a 153 or 168 is weighted accordingly so you should not have any problems, as long as the flexplate was for a 350. Is that the BP 355 you have?

Last edited by 68Thunder427; 06-28-2014 at 02:47 AM.
Old 06-28-2014, 03:21 AM
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Originally Posted by 68Thunder427
I looked up this BP engine http://www.blueprintengines.com/inde...ase-bp35511ct1 and it says to use an externally balanced FLEXPLATE (auto tranny uses flexplate manual uses flywheel) which you got and a 153 or 168 is weighted accordingly so you should not have any problems, as long as the flexplate was for a 350. Is that the BP 355 you have?
Yes. I called BP about this and was advised to get a weighted flexplate for a 1986 or newer 350 in order to accomodate the one piece RMS as opposed to the two piece that came on the original '81. I ordered the flexplate for a 1986 vette which is what I installed.

Stupid that I didn't check out the number of teeth before ordering but it sounds like I will be okay with a newer style starter. I think best bet is going to be to get a starter for an 86 vette and everything should match up correctly. Local guys have them in stock so I hope to be up and running tomorrow.

THANKS FOR THE HELP! Can sleep peacefully knowing I will not be pulling the transmission out again!
Old 06-28-2014, 11:59 AM
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Default 88-91 Corvette starter 12 3/4 flywheel

If you are interested, I have a GM starter P/N 10455709 originally found on 88 to 91 Corvettes. It is for a 153 tooth, 12 3/4 flywheel and has the straight across bolt pattern. I bought it a number of years ago. It was new and prepped for use in the Busch series cars of the time. I have never used it (my block has the staggered pattern holes ONLY). The price is $90 inc shipping. PM me if interested.
Old 06-28-2014, 12:23 PM
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lionelhutz
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I'd grab a mini-starter like the ones that came on a LT1.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-STARTER-CHEVY-5-7L-CAMARO-FIREBIRD-95-96-97-CAPRICE-IMPALA-FLEETWOOD-96/160997232233?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D23930%26meid%3D7941128057394529350%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D10200%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D400590969958&rt=nc

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