1978 Starter Recommendation
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Instructor
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1978 Starter Recommendation
Hi, Guys. I have installed a new crate GM 355 engine in my '78 Corvette. I need a recommendation for a new starter. I tried 2 mini-starters and neither work properly. The starter pinion keeps hitting the flexplate when starting. I have added shims and the starter
still dings the flexplate. I have 9.5:1 compression and wondered if it makes sense to just install a new GM starter like the '78 originally came with. Any suggestions? Thanks.
still dings the flexplate. I have 9.5:1 compression and wondered if it makes sense to just install a new GM starter like the '78 originally came with. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
ebbnflow jumped on that question about tooth count quickly.
H-m-m-m-m-m-. You don't suppose somebody swapped flywheel tooth count?
Anyway, snoop around on Summit. But first I think you need to take a felt pen, mark one tooth on the flexplate for reference. Some how rotate and start counting teeth to verify exactly what is on there.
I just put a Power Master from Summit on mine. I know I know, they are heavy. But I also know its a direct match and bolt-up like the GM.
With certain headers and certain oil pan flanges, a mini starter is not a "One Size Fits All".
H-m-m-m-m-m-. You don't suppose somebody swapped flywheel tooth count?
Anyway, snoop around on Summit. But first I think you need to take a felt pen, mark one tooth on the flexplate for reference. Some how rotate and start counting teeth to verify exactly what is on there.
I just put a Power Master from Summit on mine. I know I know, they are heavy. But I also know its a direct match and bolt-up like the GM.
With certain headers and certain oil pan flanges, a mini starter is not a "One Size Fits All".
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Instructor
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Thanks, I did try the Powermaster PowerMax Plus Mini starter first and it did the same thing. The pinion gear on the Mini doesn't retract enough to clear the Flexplate once the engine starts up. I added the shims and it still hits the flexplate. I then tried the Hitachi Mini from Summit Racing and it does the same thing. My flexplate is bolted to the torque converter, so my flexplate has to be running pretty true. I read other blogs that hot rooders, etc are having the same problem with these mini-starters from China. That's why I'm thinking I have to go with an OEM type GM starter to avoid this problem....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I had my OEM GM starter rebuilt, the original one from the factory, back in the early 90's and still use it on the rebuilt/upgraded in 2014 on the L-82 355 10.2:1 compression roller cammed OEM block/flywheel, today. Zero issues with the same OEM starter spinning the motor 7 years in now.
If you have your OEM starter, have it rebuilt locally or use an OEM type new/not rebuilt, aftermarket OEM starter.
If you have your OEM starter, have it rebuilt locally or use an OEM type new/not rebuilt, aftermarket OEM starter.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Huntsville AL
What two mini-starters have you tried? Never had an issue using one and I think it was a generic one from Summit. Your engine should also work just fine with a stock OEM starter but get something "new" vice rebuilt as others have already pointed out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
Dutch647,
What do you think of this starter? At Summit, in the search box type: PWM-3510
Power Master
168 tooth
OEM style High Torque replacement. $145
Then I wrapped it in this:
Thermo-Tec 14150
Flexible heat shield with metal band clamps. $28
It cranks over my 10.4 compression like there's no tomorrow.
But, it is heavy. Great price though.
What do you think of this starter? At Summit, in the search box type: PWM-3510
Power Master
168 tooth
OEM style High Torque replacement. $145
Then I wrapped it in this:
Thermo-Tec 14150
Flexible heat shield with metal band clamps. $28
It cranks over my 10.4 compression like there's no tomorrow.
But, it is heavy. Great price though.
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168T calls for a staggered pattern, and '78 HEI dist so no points resistor (R) terminal required.
A Lester 6449 is small Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction (PMGR 260) OE-type replacement for Chev/GM late 90's trucks with 4.3L, 5.7L & 7.4L gas motors. Marine version is Lester 6449M. FWIW Lester is starter/alternator industries leading xreference numbering system.
look for any LESTER number 6449 or 6449M. Typically recommend DB Electric of Tennessee, but I checked & they're out of stock.
or try these guys
https://dssautoparts.com/shop/starte...azer-gmc-olds/
Make Certain you get the Correct starter bolts for this; your old bolts will look like they'll do, but Not for long! W/ correct bolts it'll fit like a glove and no shims.
https://autoprollc.com/wp-content/up...eb2016_web.pdf
6449 is a light, small OE starter but it's Not a "mini-starter"
fwiw, PWM-3510 is a repop of the old heavy MT10 delco starter which uses field coils.
A Lester 6449 is small Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction (PMGR 260) OE-type replacement for Chev/GM late 90's trucks with 4.3L, 5.7L & 7.4L gas motors. Marine version is Lester 6449M. FWIW Lester is starter/alternator industries leading xreference numbering system.
look for any LESTER number 6449 or 6449M. Typically recommend DB Electric of Tennessee, but I checked & they're out of stock.
or try these guys
https://dssautoparts.com/shop/starte...azer-gmc-olds/
Make Certain you get the Correct starter bolts for this; your old bolts will look like they'll do, but Not for long! W/ correct bolts it'll fit like a glove and no shims.
https://autoprollc.com/wp-content/up...eb2016_web.pdf
6449 is a light, small OE starter but it's Not a "mini-starter"
fwiw, PWM-3510 is a repop of the old heavy MT10 delco starter which uses field coils.
Last edited by ebbnflow; Jul 24, 2021 at 06:24 PM.
Thread Starter
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Now I wish I had the old starter. It did work fine. My challenge is to find the correct OEM starter that bolts up properly. Everyone sells them, even Amazon, but I want the correct fit this time….
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
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From: Indiana
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Joined: Jul 2021
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in p#9, there's linked a 2-page pdf REMY TSB of PMGR info including bolt description and GM part numbers. First measure/verify thread size in Your block; US or metric ... starter bolt holes IN BLOCK can be either.
You ask seller if it comes with correct bolts; fyi Dorman and others offer correct bolts as well as GM dealership. a 6449 requires TWO Long bolts.
You ask seller if it comes with correct bolts; fyi Dorman and others offer correct bolts as well as GM dealership. a 6449 requires TWO Long bolts.
Last edited by ebbnflow; Jul 25, 2021 at 10:30 AM.
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Awesome! Thanks much. I just checked Amazon and it is in stock. I used the bolt part numbers off the Delco/Remy PDF you sent me. I will
order the exact part number bolts. This will get the ‘78 back on road in no time. Cheers and thanks again for your help.👍
order the exact part number bolts. This will get the ‘78 back on road in no time. Cheers and thanks again for your help.👍
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
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Ebbnflow, I just checked Amazon and they say this starter does not fit my 1978 Corvette. Did you cross reference the part number? I don’t trust Amazon when comes to parts fitting…. Thanks. I also checked the DB Electrical website and the starter did not come up upon my search. Could you give me the link where you found it?