GM mini starter install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 9
From: Baytown TX
GM mini starter install
I bought a summit racing mini starter and it says it will fit a staggered or in line bolt pattern but it doesn't fit my staggered block without hitting the headers or the block. I went to orilleys and bought a suburban mini gear reduction starter. I tried to fit it on and it fit perfect but it left me with a couple questions before I tear up my brand new flywheel.
How do I get around the nose cone to make sure it doesn't need to be shimmed? There isn't any room under the bellhousing to pull the bendix out.
The starter bolts don't fit snug in the holes in the starter and leave quite a bit of play. I'm sure it's because the starter is designed for metric bolts but my block takes standard threads.
Also it's a 12.5 compression big block will this starter be enough to crank it?
How do I get around the nose cone to make sure it doesn't need to be shimmed? There isn't any room under the bellhousing to pull the bendix out.
The starter bolts don't fit snug in the holes in the starter and leave quite a bit of play. I'm sure it's because the starter is designed for metric bolts but my block takes standard threads.
Also it's a 12.5 compression big block will this starter be enough to crank it?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
I bought a summit racing mini starter and it says it will fit a staggered or in line bolt pattern but it doesn't fit my staggered block without hitting the headers or the block. I went to orilleys and bought a suburban mini gear reduction starter. I tried to fit it on and it fit perfect but it left me with a couple questions before I tear up my brand new flywheel.
How do I get around the nose cone to make sure it doesn't need to be shimmed? There isn't any room under the bellhousing to pull the bendix out.
The starter bolts don't fit snug in the holes in the starter and leave quite a bit of play. I'm sure it's because the starter is designed for metric bolts but my block takes standard threads.
Also it's a 12.5 compression big block will this starter be enough to crank it?
How do I get around the nose cone to make sure it doesn't need to be shimmed? There isn't any room under the bellhousing to pull the bendix out.
The starter bolts don't fit snug in the holes in the starter and leave quite a bit of play. I'm sure it's because the starter is designed for metric bolts but my block takes standard threads.
Also it's a 12.5 compression big block will this starter be enough to crank it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
I discovered that GM makes starter bolts to adapt these mini-starters to the Gen I small blocks. These are for the 153 tooth (straight bolt pattern) flywheel starters.
The short one is PN 14037733 and the long one is 12338064. They have 10mm shanks with 3/8" threads.
I think the staggered pattern uses 2 of the long ones (12338064). You should measure to make sure.
The short one is PN 14037733 and the long one is 12338064. They have 10mm shanks with 3/8" threads.
I think the staggered pattern uses 2 of the long ones (12338064). You should measure to make sure.
Last edited by Kid Vette; Nov 24, 2014 at 11:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 9
From: Baytown TX
I did some searching and it looks like dorman part number 678-107 is the same as gm 12338064. It would be easier to get the dorman since orilleys carries it versus driving to a dealership to get the gm part.
So I don't need any shims at all? Just bolt it on and go. My motor is a 70s 454 and the starter is off a late model 454 so I figured it might be close.
So I don't need any shims at all? Just bolt it on and go. My motor is a 70s 454 and the starter is off a late model 454 so I figured it might be close.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
You can get the special bolts, or you can get a section of thin-wall brass tubing at the HW store. It happens to fit just perfectly and removes the slop.
Sometimes even the GM starter needs shims. Mine did (late model GM starter off a truck, going on a 454 LS-5).
There's a small hole at the bottom of the starter. You can bend a small screw driver to fit in there and pull the bendix out.
Sometimes even the GM starter needs shims. Mine did (late model GM starter off a truck, going on a 454 LS-5).
There's a small hole at the bottom of the starter. You can bend a small screw driver to fit in there and pull the bendix out.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 9
From: Baytown TX
I found the dorman bolts and the auto parts store said they'll be in this afternoon. I might try bending a screwdriver to make sure it's good before I tear up a $250 flywheel. I was thinking about getting somebody to hit the key and putting a screwdriver behind it to see if it fits good.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I found the dorman bolts and the auto parts store said they'll be in this afternoon. I might try bending a screwdriver to make sure it's good before I tear up a $250 flywheel. I was thinking about getting somebody to hit the key and putting a screwdriver behind it to see if it fits good.
I have an '89 truck block 355 in mine, and so use the 'mini' starter.....no shim since my Pontiac daze.....that's been about 25+ years now.....
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