this is getting really bad, i've gone through 3 starters in 2 weeks, one of which got 2 starts out of it. the case on the starter keeps cracking. what is it? my car is not stock, and has headers. any ideas?

 

you using starter bolts or bolts from a bin at the hardwear store?

 

RB has reported issues with some 70's 350 blocks not having the mount bolt holes properly located.

 

yeah i'm using starter bolts, and i think it's a late 70's block with the NON offset bolt pattern. i think i know what it is but not for sure, maybe because the housing is too loose in the bellhousing? i bought a starter from summit, a mini high torque starter, i guess i'll see what that does.

 

I hear they are high in fiber


lol
just teasin

 

do you ahve the right flex plate on the motor? if your useing the wrong plate the teeth could bind up and mes up the starter.

 

Id definatly lean toward an issue with the bolt holes for the starter. I had a car awhile back with a late 70's block and it did the same thing. The stresses would crack teh housing of the starter and the motor would crank over real slow even with a good starter. IIRC i think there is a starter that corrects for it by moving the bolt holes by the same offset.

 

are your headers tight to the block? I had the same problem with a full size starter where it had a little bit of clearance to the header but when it would start the engine it would tighten up against the header and snap the starter housing. fixed it by adding a mini starter which had several inches of clearance as opposed to a cm or 2