Ok my shop has just installed my new zz4 crate engine and they had to go through 3 starters to find the correct one. Well it turns out that starter is way to close to the flex plate and it hits it every once in a while. If you could tell me what kind of starter you guys put in that would be wonderful. Thanks

 

does anyone have any suggestions? Anything would help. :cheers:

 

theres several starters GM performance recommends for the zz4...i got the Heavy Duty one...ordered from the dealership where i got the crate motor. although, i had to go through hell to try and find the right bolts for it...trail and error but i made it.

 

try contacting sallee chevrolet...they have a web site with forum, or their 800,
I used the same starter with my ZZ4, for 79 4 speed application, i had to change the flywheel but used the same starter. Cranks fine.

 

I didn't go to near that much trouble. I just walked into the parts store and asked for a Chevy started with a straight across bolt pattern. $29.00 later I had a lifetime guaranteed starter from O'Reilly's. (I know it'll probably last about 6 months, then croak) but so far it has performed faultlessly.
Did you shim the starter so that there was about 1/16" between the flexplate ring gear and the Bendix gear?
Maybe I just got lucky with mine, usually the parts store starters have been real POS.

 

I know the starter issues...I ended up going with a gear reduction, mini starter...actually this one:

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?d...1GKG4MCND09046

I also put a heat shield on it. :thumbs:

 

Went out to Sallee website....grabbed some info for ya........

Group 2.041 Starter Motors

Basic information to know about flywheels/flexplates and starters.
Flywheels/Flexplates with two different diameters are used on Chevrolet small-block V8, big-block V8, and V6/90° engines. Large flywheels/flexplates are 14" in diameter, and have 168 teeth on the starter ring gear. Small diameter flywheels/flexplates are 12-3/4" in diameter and have 153 teeth on the starter ring gear. Flywheels are used on manual transmissions and flexplates are used on automatic transmissions.
The difference in flywheel/flexplate diameters requires two distinct starter housings. Starter noses used with large diameter flywheels/flexplates have two offset bolt holes; starters for small flywheels/flexplates have two bolt holes which are parallel to the back of the block. Most Chevrolet blocks are drilled for both types of starters. If you are changing the diameter of your Chevrolet's flywheel/flexplate, you can convert your present starter to fit the new flywheel/flexplate by installing the appropriate starter nose, starter motor housing, found within each engine classification.

09000852
BBC Gear Reduction 168 Tooth 502/502 Starter. Factory Style, for large 14" 168 tooth flywheels. Requires (2) P/N 12338064 Bolts. No core charge.
226.15

12361146
Starter, Gear Reduction 168 or 153 Tooth Non-Production Style. No core charge. This high performance gear reduction is designed for 1958-96 Chevrolet V8 and all V6 90º engines (200, 229, and 4.3L). Its compact starter delivers plenty of torque and it is a small package which offers increased clearance for extended oil pans and headers exhaust systems. This lightweight (10.5 pound) and powerful (1.2 kilowatt ouput) starter relies on a 3.75:1 gear reduction to spin a high-compression engine. This mini starter has a red Chevrolet Bow Tie logo and a dual bolt pattern for 12 3/4" (153 tooth) and 14" (168 tooth) flywheel. Mounting bolts and shims, gaskets and electrical connectors are included.
Technical Notes: This unit can be rotated to clear most exhaust systems. This starter is not recommended for competition.
187.09

12363128
Chromed High Torque Mini-starter Gear Reduction 168 or 153 Tooth. Non-Production Style. This starter is the same as P/N 1236114 except that it is chrome plated to give your engine that custom look. No core charge.
207.98

10455702
Starter, Gear Reduction 153 Tooth L-98 Corvette Style. No core charge. This lightweight starter was introduced on 1988-91 Corvettes. Its internal gear reduction multiplies torque for fast starts. It weights just 10.14 lbs - 9 lbs less than a conventional starter. This compact starter also offers additional clearance for competition oil pans and chassis componets.
Technical Note: Use with 12-3/4" outside diameter flywheel. 223.68

10496870
BBC Starter, heavy-duty remanufactured 153 Tooth Factory Delco Style. Price includes core charge of $20.00.
74.57

12304044
SBC Starter, heavy-duty remanufactured 153 Tooth Factory Delco Style. Price includes core charge of $5.00.
57.45

01876552
SBC V8 and V6/90° Starter, remanufactured, 14" flywheel. For SBC V8 and V6/90° Chevy with flywheels P/N 3986394 and P/N 3991469, also flexplates P/N 471598 and P/N 471578. Price includes core charge of $20.00.
81.50

01876555
Starter, heavy-duty remanufactured 168 tooth Factory Delco Style. Used on 1970 through 1974 Corvettes. Price includes core charge of $20.00.
73.97

10465293
Starter, Factory Gear Reduction 97 Camaro 153 Tooth. Use (1) 12338064, (1) 14037733 bolts. Price includes core charge of $45.00.
208.99

10465143
Starter SBC and BBC, light weight, high-performance, remanufactured. Used originally on Camaro Z28's with LT1 engines, but can be used on any small-block or big-block Chevrolet engine with 12-2/4" flywheel. Price includes core charge of $25.00.
231.79
:D

 

:withstupid:
I've had the liftime warrenty POS on my ZZ4 for 3+ years now...no problems. The way I see it, it takes me about 20 to 30 minutes to change the starter out so $29.95 is the ticket for me. If it last another three years I can get a good 48 years service out of 8 $29 starters then spend 250 on a mini starter and hope it dosen't break for the next 48 years. JMHO

Just make sure you shim it right and any Chevy parts counter should have the proper bolts.