Modern Starters (mini hi-torque)
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Modern Starters (mini hi-torque)
When I built my stroker and installed it, I used a mini hi-torque starter from a local vendor I've used for years. It was really noisey and I returned it, because it always sounded like an old GM starter that needed to be shimmed.
I've had the replacement starter in there for a year now, and I'm tired of it's noise too although it always starts OK. It sounds no better than the first one. It came with new bolts (they said that I should have been given new bolts the first time too.)
The vendor claims that these units he sells have a different number of teeth on the gear than an OEM starter does, and the noise is normal.
I haven't tried shimming it although it may be a good idea?
The reason I'm posting is that I've seen a couple of people here in this forum say they are running modern hi-torque starters from late model vehicles. I'd like to find out what part numbers and where to get them.
Thanks and greetings from sunny San Diego
I've had the replacement starter in there for a year now, and I'm tired of it's noise too although it always starts OK. It sounds no better than the first one. It came with new bolts (they said that I should have been given new bolts the first time too.)
The vendor claims that these units he sells have a different number of teeth on the gear than an OEM starter does, and the noise is normal.
I haven't tried shimming it although it may be a good idea?
The reason I'm posting is that I've seen a couple of people here in this forum say they are running modern hi-torque starters from late model vehicles. I'd like to find out what part numbers and where to get them.
Thanks and greetings from sunny San Diego
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Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Plano TX
I'm running a GM (Delco) starter out of a late model pickup. I forget the exact year, but it's the last year of the 454 before they went to the vortecs. mid 90's. One important thing about the late model starters is that they use metric bolts so your stock 3/8" bolts will be loose. I went to the hardware store and got 3/8" inner diameter thin wall brass tubing. I used that as a sleeve for the bolts and it made a nice tight fit. I didn't have to use any shims at all and it starts great. Sounds like a late model car starting.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by zwede
I'm running a GM (Delco) starter out of a late model pickup. I forget the exact year, but it's the last year of the 454 before they went to the vortecs. mid 90's. One important thing about the late model starters is that they use metric bolts so your stock 3/8" bolts will be loose. I went to the hardware store and got 3/8" inner diameter thin wall brass tubing. I used that as a sleeve for the bolts and it made a nice tight fit. I didn't have to use any shims at all and it starts great. Sounds like a late model car starting.
BTW you said yours was from a BB. Are they interchangeable with a small block starter?
Anyone have a part number?
Last edited by SanDiegoPaul; Nov 28, 2004 at 12:48 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
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From: Plano TX
Originally Posted by SanDiegoPaul
BTW you said yours was from a BB. Are they interchangeable with a small block starter?
Anyone have a part number?
Anyone have a part number?
Here's a pic from ebay:
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Le Mans Master
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From: Not Correctly Restored Stingray Fla.
Originally Posted by Cali,68,L-79
Paul.
Look around your side fence. I left a 12-pack there, hope you got the message otherwise it's been rained on and the 12-pack box is soggy now.
David
Look around your side fence. I left a 12-pack there, hope you got the message otherwise it's been rained on and the 12-pack box is soggy now.
David
Hey Dave, Can you drop a 12-pack over by my fence also ???? It's finally not raining here, I hate those soggy boxes.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
I put that starter on my 1979 about five years ago because of a heat-soak problem. It is SB and BB compatible. You can see the various adaption holes in this pic. It has not failed to this day. Why fool about with compromises? Premium price but premium fit. I don't like being stranded....
Last edited by Paul L; Nov 28, 2004 at 08:21 PM.
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Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
From GM parts online:
GM PART # 12361146
CATEGORY: Starter Motor
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $239.70
OUR PRICE: $167.79
DESCRIPTION: STARTER
Thanks for the tip, Zwede! OK, here's a question. How can the same starter fit flywheels with different number of teeth? Are they just "close enough" ??
GM PART # 12361146
CATEGORY: Starter Motor
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $239.70
OUR PRICE: $167.79
DESCRIPTION: STARTER
Thanks for the tip, Zwede! OK, here's a question. How can the same starter fit flywheels with different number of teeth? Are they just "close enough" ??
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
You can see the different mount hole configurations in my pic. The install instructions are very clear. This is a GM part designed to fit a GM vehicle of the C3 period. Why fool about with aftermarket?
Last edited by Paul L; Nov 28, 2004 at 09:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by Z-man
From GM parts online:
Thanks for the tip, Zwede! OK, here's a question. How can the same starter fit flywheels with different number of teeth? Are they just "close enough" ??
Thanks for the tip, Zwede! OK, here's a question. How can the same starter fit flywheels with different number of teeth? Are they just "close enough" ??
:o 
