Chevrolet small block 350 starter motor

[admin]

A quick question

Is there any difference in starter motors for older 350 small block motors ? Such as in the way they mount or the number of bolt holes etc ? A mates car needs one and it isnt anywhere near us so I am wondering if they are all the same to avoid purchasing a wrong one. The car is a 1970 Chevrolet Corvette but I dont know if the motor is original to it.

Thanks in advance

[gavpk]

yes, i think there is two types, one bolts up with 2 long bolts, the other with 1 long and 1 short bolt. theres other diff, but this is one way to tell.

[admin]

Thanks Gavpk , thats pretty much answered my question.

[virgo]

The safest way is to get the brand and model number off the existing starter motor.

I have GM diesels in boat. Original Starter was superseeded. Purchased a later model which was supposed to be interchangeable but had grind the gearbox bell housing to get it to fit so be carefull what you buy.

Once you have the make and model do a google search. There are plenty of starter motor suppliers.

[global88]

Yes many diffrences in starters.

These are chev factory part numbers.

p/no 1108789; Heavy duty for use with a 12 3/4" flywheel ring gear.

p/no 8801188; Aluminium starter nose for large dia flywheels using 11"clutches and for auto trany flex plates. Identified by offset bolt pattern.

p/no 1968122; Aluminium starter nose for small diameter fly wheels using 10 1/2" clutch. Identified by a straight across bolt pattern.

The simplest was is to always count the gear teeth on the starter and check the mount point too.
This goes for any car.

Make sure you take your old one with you for safety.

Lucky i kept all my old chev race engine building books lol
They have been gathering dust for the last 18 years.

[billone]

there is a few chinese copy starters for big blocks,small blocks, ford,chev,jap..
ozstarter drive, i think was one.. some burson auto stores sell em also..eagle auto spares,pontiworld n.s.w..
i got a genuine 98 camaro electric window motor/regulator new for 110 bucks from pontiworld

[admin]

Ended up getting a high torque after market model with adaptor kit. Comes with no instructions Half the size of the original.

I also found out the reason why the other one cracked.....they are meant to have a support strap from the starter to the block. This one didnt , which meant that all the weight was supported by 2 bolts only which is why the housing split on contact.

[global88]

If you dont mind me asking, just out of curiosity, how much did it set you back Sanity?

[admin]

$200.

I then saw a cheaper one on Ebay but I ordered this one in from a mate that owns a wreckers and he is a chev man and has this particular one on 2 company vehicles with no problems at all after a year or so.

[global88]

Actually i dont think $200 is expensive for a new heavy duty starter.

Christ, i paid $160 for a reconditioned high amp altermator!

Sometimes for the buck you save, ebay can be alot of mucking around when things go wrong.
Not good to have a car sit there waiting for days or weeks for an exchange part via a ebay seller.

At least you can take it back to the wrecker if something goes wrong.