JTNKTZ

iTrader: (10)

My starter is going out and I am kinda sorta new to cars but not really. I can work on them and I understand them but unsure about compatibility.

Thanks,
Justin

Apeiron

Yes, the blocks are the same externally.

Damon

Yes, but be aware there are 2 different bolt pattern starters on small block Chevys. Straight and Staggered. Straight pattern starters are for smaller 153 tooth flywheels/flexplates and Staggered for the larger 168 tooth flywheels/flexplates.

ALL 3rd gen Camaro engines (stock ones) use the smaller 153 tooth/straight pattern starter arrangement. Most commonly, truck applications used the larger 168 tooth affair.

JTNKTZ

iTrader: (10)

What would a stock GM crate engine be you guys think? I'll probably have to look..

Apeiron

Stock for what? Did it come with a flywheel?

kenrussell3

If you have a 350 with a staggered 2-bolt pattern for a starter that matches a 14" x 168 teeth automatic transmission flex-plate or manual transmission flywheel, and you have a 305 with a 2-bolt straight pattern starter that matches a 12 3/4" x 153 teeth manual transmission flywheel, the 305 starter will bolt up with only one of the two bolts on the 350, so you would have to drill and tap an additional mounting hole to match the 305 starter straight mounting bolt pattern. If, by chance, you have a 350 block that already has all three mounting holes, you can simply bolt up a 305 starter, using the two holes that are straight in line with each other. If you use a 305 starter, remember it will only fit a 12 3/4" flywheel or flex-plate. If your 350 has a later one-piece rear main seal, a stock 305 12 3/4" flywheel or flex-plate will bolt right up and will match the 305 starter. If your 350 has an earlier two-piece rear main seal, then you will need to order a 12 3/4" flywheel or flex-plate that fits the larger diameter crank shaft. To my knowledge, there is no staggered 2-bolt pattern starter for a 12 3/4" flywheel or flex-plate. All starters for a 12 3/4" flywheel/flex-plate are two-bolt straight pattern.

kenrussell3

A quick additional note...some older 350's came with a three bolt starter, but that bolt pattern will not work with a 305 starter. The 305 bolt pattern is wider (3 1/4") than the 350 bolt pattern (2 3/4"), so you would still have to drill and tap an additional hole for the 305 starter to fit the 350 block.

kenrussell3

The only way you would have a 350 block with the correct bolt hole pattern is if someone already drilled and tapped it properly for a 305 starter.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Pretty much all 87 and up 305/350 starters interchange on f-bodys because they all use the small 153 tooth flexplate/flywheel size from the factory.

dmccain

iTrader: (2)

Get an 94-96 Camaro LT1 starter if you have an 87 and up engine. Lot smaller and like $60 at Amazon.

kenrussell3

I did find some mini-starters on ebay with four in-line bolt holes that allow it to be mounted on virtually any 12 3/4" or 14" flywheel/flex-plate SBC, and they also have several holes to adjust the angle position of the starter/solenoid itself. Just a note, if you happen to have an older SBC with three starter mounting holes, these mini-starters will mount up to the two in-line holes, but, again, if you only have the two staggered bolt holes, you will still have to drill and tap another hole.

Here is the mini-starter I bought for my 1969 350cid/300hp with three bolt holes (one staggered and two in line) that originally had a starter for a 14" flex-plate. I needed a starter for a 12 3/4" flywheel I bought to match up the 350 with my 1986 T5 manual transmission. It has a red starter body and "universal" billet mounting plate.

ebay, "eachbright", New 3HP Mini Starter for Chevrolet Chevy SBC BBC High Torque Red Tooth 153/305 (264336111940), $61.89, including standard shipping.

kenrussell3

I'll let you know how it goes, when the min-starter gets here.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Yes. That is true, for SOME blocks. I have a similar one myself. For some years, happily mounted on the 400 block in the photo you may have seen by now, in fact.

But that works IF AND ONLY IF the block has the appropriate bolt holes!!!! Doesn't matter what starter you have; if you were to try to put a bolt through a starter - ANY starter - and into the inboard 14" pattern hole, it would have to go RIGHT DIRECTLY THROUGH THE MIDDLE of the starter drive. ANY starter. ANY. Let that word sink in.

The problem isn't the starter, it's the LOCATION of the BOLT. The BOLT is the incompatibility. Not the starter.

So, my nice dual-pattern mini-starter, just like all the others, uses the 78-up 12.8" inboard bolt hole to bolt it up. It WOULD NOT WORK without that hole I drilled.

Good luck with a bunch of cheeeeeep Chinese … stuff. I hope they have a generous return policy.

GeneralDisorder

iTrader: (1)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-3HP-Min...sAAOSwn5JZ5HkB

That is straight ebay Chinese GARBAGE. Will not last. Even the "PowerMaster" cheap units are junk. Not worth the box they come in. That's essentially the same thing as a stock 305 starter - it just *also* has the 168 tooth bolt holes. If your 305 starter doesn't work on your "69 Corvette" block, this one will not work either.

GD

kenrussell3

I am prepared to drill and tap.

kenrussell3

I was told that a mini would help with my headers; so, I'm going to try it out.

GeneralDisorder

iTrader: (1)

Yeah a mini starter will help with header fitment. But that's so cheap it's not worth installing. I've torn down similar models after failure and there's nothing worth having about it.

Here is a proper mini starter:

https://www.meziere.com/Products/Sta...153-tooth.aspx

GD

kenrussell3

I'm sure you are right. I just have a project car to get on the road for a car show (not a "show car") and pleasure drive now and again.

kenrussell3

I also agree with that fact that the newer generation SBC engines are better in every way. They last longer, deliver better horsepower and efficiency, more dependable, lighter, stronger, etc. It's just a matter of using what I have. I thought I had more than what I actually had. So, I am learning, the hard way.

kenrussell3

Well, my “cheapo” Chinese, peace of crap, will never work, won’t fit, mini-starter finally arrived and, WOW, it does fit. Without drilling any new holes. It looks great and looked well made and looks way better than the original.