i recently just dropped a 350 replacing my 305..everything went awesome a few things were needed but basically almost everything from the 305 was transfered to the 350...the 350 is from a 66 chevy pick up(rebuilt) when i was installing the starter from the 305 to the 350..the 350 only had 1 starter bolt hole..i lined the starter as parallel as possible to the block..and i bolt it to a back plate as well...it worked..it cranked fine the 1st 10-15 starts..but the next day i tried to crank..the starter sounded louder n then later it started to grind..now i adjusted it many different ways but still it keeps grinding...is the there a difference between a 305 starter and a 350 starter?

 

No. And, yes.

The difference isn't 305 vs. 350, but what flexplate the engine has. The starter has to match the flexplate size.

'66 pickup? 350's didn't come out until '68 ('69 in pickups).

Most likely the 350 had a 168-tooth flywheel. Since the engine couldn't have been original in the pickup, no clue what year it is - but, most likely it was '85-earlier (which side of the engine is the dipstick on?) and 2-piece rear main seal. The original engine in your Z was one-piece rear main seal and 153-tooth - that flexplate will not fit the 350 (if it is '85-earlier). If it did fit, that either means your 305 was not an '86, or the 350 is '86-later.

Many of the early 350's did not have the starter mount bolt holes drilled and tapped for the smaller flexplate. Yours most likely was made for the larger flexplate, and your 305 starter will not work. Determine, if you can, what 350 you have, then get a 168-tooth flexplate (if you don't have one already) and starter for it.

 

Just a quick ps to what five7 said. The 350 truck block prob seemed to have only one starter bolt hole because its bolt holes are offset. The correct starter will have offset bolt holes to match. Be sure to check before installing the new starter that one starter bolt isnt broken off in the block. Ive also seen starter bolt bosses broken off from the block. If thats the case you need a good welding and fab shop to repair the block for you.

 

ok to make this shorter... i have a 350 with staggered both patterns...which are for starters with larger flex plates...i put the original 12 3/4" flex plate on...i cant use the starter from the 305 because it slipps...wut can i do??

 

What does that mean?

 

as in when i try to start the car..it turns the engine for a quick second then slips n you hear grinding

 

The correct starter for your motor will have offset mounting holes. By offset I mean that they are at an angle, going diagonally across the starter housing. Ask for a starter for a 74 chev pick up for example, check it out before you buy it. These offset holes will match the holes in your block.

Examine the flex plate before installing the starter, rotate the crank to check all the teeth. Make sure you havent already ruined them by grinding the misapplied starter against them. You may also need to shim the new starter for proper gear clearance.