Problems Installing Mini Starter 1984 Corvette
 

I post a thread a while back about a mini starter for the 1984 Corvette. I ended up going with the one from Summit that was supposed to fit but it doesn't cover the hole in the bellhousing. I haven't measured it yet to see if it needs shims but I'm assuming I can get a feeler gauge through that hole that needs to be covered. My main question here is how in the world do I cover that hole? I can't just leave it open. Others said that this starter fit perfectly and I've never installed one before but I know for a fact that this isn't right.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...fc4bbdb939.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...4ba5430d1d.jpg

Never seen an '84 in that area and it is different from my '85 but don't you have the dust cover, that is what covers that area on mine. Also, that bracket that holds your trans cooler lines looks like if it was bolted up it would cover the hole. Sorry, I'm just making guesses until someone who knows can speak up.

@Midnight 85 the picture makes it look like it would but I just ran down to the garage and it definitely does not. There is no dust cover that I know of. I looked at the old starter and didn't see anything. Leave it to the '84 to be different.

The dust cover is in place. The hole you see is in the dust cover. The problem is that the original GM starter had a large snout that filled the hole in the dust cover, the mini starter does not. That is why I was desperately looking for a 1988 dust cover when I did my mini starter install. '88 was the only year with the 4+3 and mini starter.

Aluminum roof flashing is easy to work = fashion a cover.

If you happen to know someone that drinks from a can cut one open & make a cover.

:iagree:

That plate that is on there is in fact the dust shield. It runs along the oil pan lip. Piece of aluminum will work fine. It honestly doesn't even need to be sealed.

@383vett The picture is from the bottom. Isn't the starter supposed to have the solenoid on top like the original? I at least know the starter block is correct because of the cut out on top. I've never installed one so I'm not sure.

@Ray Quayle Did you ever find a solution or the '88 dust cover?

@Churchkey How would I keep the aluminium in place?

@84 4+3 I live on a gravel road. Wouldn't a lot of debris get inside and cause problems? If so, how exactly would I get a piece of aluminium to stay in place?

Just notch it to go under the starter bolts like this crude drawing...
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...e942868bb6.png
Edit: looks like your inner bolt isn't in all the way either.

@84 4+3 Thank you. I'll probably try to make one similar to that.

@Ray Quayle If I'm not able to custom make one, I'll see if I can pick one up.

Thanks guys for the help.

It looks like the starter is positioned too close to the block. What happens if you flip it over? Will it be centered in the hole?

@383vett The solenoid would be in the way of the transmission line mount and my exhaust. I could clock it a bit but there is plenty of clearance between the block and the starter. I'm about to make a cover for the opening, but how do I check that everything lines up correctly? If I want to take the whole dust cover off, then I have to remove the oil filter to get to one of the bolts which means I'd have to change the oil so that's out. Thanks again for the tips. I made the mistake of thinking this would be easy. Haha.

Just eye ball it and use the old starter as the hole template. Once you're under just trim it some. Not like you'll be looking at it all the time or anything.

That's what I thought to at first glance. Seems like it is sitting awful high.

Mini starter mounting position:
Close to the engine block is for use with a 153 tooth flywheel. An auto trans car may have the 153 tooth wheel. For header clearance I use a 153 tooth wheel & mini starter with a 4L60 trans, L98 in the 57 Chevy.
The other set of mounting holes are for use with a 168 tooth flywheel.

Remove the inspection cover then lever the starter bendix out if it hits the flywheel move the starter outboard if it engages the flywheel teeth your good to go with the starter in its current position.

@84 4+3 getting the cover made wasn't too hard. My concern for lining everything up had more to do with the starter.

@Midnight 85 I checked everything and the solenoid lines up with the bolts just like on the old starter so it should be fine.

@Churchkey Thanks for the tips. I have it installed now and I placed it closer which should be right because I have the 153 tooth flywheel.

Thank you all once again for the help.

I thought I would be in the clear now but the wiring is quite a bit different than on the original starter.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...38f5dc0f8c.jpg
It looks like the two bigger wires go to the terminal closest to the block and the small wire that was attached to the s terminal goes to the the slip on type connector that's not very obvious in this picture. It is there though. The instructions say nothing about wiring except to connect them properly. Super helpful.

Yea, if you had a newer style starter then it would look like that one but yes. You are correct. The small one is the s or purple wire... yellow and red maybe?

@84 4+3 so is the outer terminal even used then? If the ground and the wire from the battery go on the the terminal that connects to the starter and the small wire that was connected to the s on the old starter slips on to the small connector, then the outer, or lower terminal in this picture, goes unused.