I was doing the final hookup of parts on my engine rebuild and ran into a snag. Seem the 383 (400) flexplate is the larger (160+) tooth model and my old '88 L98 starter will no longer fit! Does anyone have a suggestion for a model and year of starter that will fit? What are some years / models of chevy that came stock with a 400 (I assume that's the type I now need)?

Thanks!
-Tim-

 

Anybody?

 

400's were produced from '70 to '80. They used a 164 tooth flexplate/flywheel. The larger flywheel starter motors have an off-set motor bolt hole pattern. Some, not all, sbc blocks have a dual (3-bolt hole) starter motor pattern. The block will accomodate either the off-set or straight across starter motors. You need to see what you have first. If it is a 3-bolt pattern block, you could pick up a '70-'80 400 starter and it should work. If you have a single pattern "straight accross" pattern block, you will have to get an aftermarket starter for a 164 tooth flywheel.

You may also be able to interchange the nose cone and bendix from a 164 tooth starter. I have not done it before, so I'm not sure if it can be done or not.

Good luck, Mike

 

That will work.

 

Well, i have never heard of the 164 tooth 400 flywhell but i have heard of the 168 tooth (14" in dia.) 400 flywhell. I assume you are useing the large flywhell because of balance. You can use a 153 tooth (12.75" in dia.) 350 flywhell with a pork chop balance weight and your 350 starter will bolt right up. Also if you use the 400 flywheel all you have to do is buy a starter nose and that will move the starter out for the larger flywheel. Part #'s for a 1986 and later small block: (400 flywhell = 343738) (Starter Drive Housing Alum.= 1984097 Iron = 1984098) The only problem i had is that the starter has to be moved out to work with the large flywhell and it interfers with the headers (SLP) and was a pain in the *** . If i had to do it over again i would use the small flywhell.

-Auggie-

 

I picked one up from an '83 Caprice for my 383 and it fit perfect.

 

Thanks for pointing that out. I screwed up. Dyslectic fingers or I'm just stupid. Sorry for the confusion, I should have typed 168 tooth.

 

md, you sound like your far from stupid and typos are quite common.

-Auggie-

 

Thanks guys,

I sure didn't know 164 from 168 either

At least I won't look so foolish at the parts counter! The 168 tooth flywheel was dynamically balanced with my crankshaft so I'll have to stick with that one. Hopefully there'll be enough space for my exhaust.

Again, thanks
-Tim-