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I would like to try a different mini style OEM starter than a "Hitachi style mini starter" on my 421 CI SBC. Its a Dart SHP block, with a 700R4.
Im getting occasional grinding after a lot of shimming and starter nose pinion replacement.
would this fit? Or is there one that will fit? I think I want to try one with the support on the pinion end.
this one is for a 1995 corvette application:
I can tell you from experience that the very best mini-starter out there is the CVR 5323 or 5323R if you have points......
Read the reviews......I have installed about ten of these in the past 15 years.....none ever required a shim and they will turn over a Big Block like it has no plugs in it.
I have one on my own car....hard to beat for the money.
I can tell you from experience that the very best mini-starter out there is the CVR 5323 or 5323R if you have points......
Read the reviews......I have installed about ten of these in the past 15 years.....none ever required a shim and they will turn over a Big Block like it has no plugs in it.
I have one on my own car....hard to beat for the money.
CVR is good. I bit the bullet and bought a Tilton. 3.0hp vs 1.9 hp. Buy once, cry once. Turns over my 496 with zero issues.
One advantage of having a good starter is that it does not need to work so hard. This means less current draw and voltage drop. Voltage drop is the bane of my EFI since it causes the computer to reset and I then have starting issues.
I put a summit starter on my Dart Little M 427 after going through multiple starters that would get heat soaked from the headers and then not turn the motor on. I think I got the 3.1 hp version of this one. 2 shins on a168 tooth flywheel. No issues after. Well worth the money.
I have one of those CVR starters on my 12.25-1 Compression ratio BB 427. I had real problems getting the Engine to crank when it was hot. I found that retarding the ignition was the easier way to crank a Big Block or anything with lots of Compression. The CVR is a great starter and you won't have to buy another for a long while.
Today many of the ignition boxes like MSD offer the 20* retard during starting as an option. I have a MSD 6AL with a MSD Digital Retard Box and MSD Distributor. The system pulls 20* timing while starting and then returns to normal timing after hitting 800 rpm. With a Gear Driven Starter my engine sounds like a Chrysler when Cranking and always starts.
I required no shims to get my Gear drive starter mounted properly.
FYI, that is not a mini-starter and it is not a stock style replacement from a 95 Corvette since that is a 153 tooth flywheel application and would be the straight across bolt pattern.
A mid 90's pickup application would get you a 168 tooth starter. Lots of people like this one, which looks pretty similar to a stock starter.
If you just want to experiment with a cheap starter then get this one. Make sure you get the right bolts too. The application chart does list engines like the 454 and 8.1L which I believe is correct so GM expected that design to spin over a big engine which means it ability to start your engine might just surprise you.
Just throwing this up since I believe all of the starters recommended so far are of the design type the OP has posted he wants to avoid.
Last edited by lionelhutz; Oct 22, 2020 at 04:44 PM.
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