camaronewbie

In need of a new starter. I have the regular old OEM starter, and the solenoid is touching my Y-pipe, and thus getting fried. I need a mini starter!

Looking at it from underneath, the one I have now is a staggered bolt starter. BUT ... I also see a hole that is parallel with the bolt closest to the block, in front of the staggered bolt. Is this another starter mounting hole in the block? Does this mean I can choose a regular mount or a staggered mount, and either will work? The block is the same old sbc 350 everyone has - the 3970010.

Thanks!

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

I was pretty sure the staggered holes were for the larger 168 tooth flexplates/flywheels that thirdgens dont have? I'd replace it with whatever you had that you know worked, but Im really surprised you have a staggered bolt hole starter. Most of the time with thirdgens you want the straight pattern starters.

camaronewbie

It's not a 3rd gen motor - it's the 3970010 sbc 350 (1969 - 1980).

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

But it's using a 3rd gen transmission. I didnt think a 168 tooth flexplate will fit in a 700r4 bellhousing?

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

14" 168 flexplate fits T700
168 flywheel does not fit Vette / F-body bell housings

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

No .
Starter snout matches flywheel ( straight 153 ; staggered 168 )
but it means you can use a smaller aftermarket mini starter as they have 4 bolt holes to use the straight bolt pattern for either flywheel
The better ones allow you to rotate the body against the mount so you can move the solenoid closer to the block

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-829100/?rtype=10

matt1970pon

hey do yourself a favor get a painless wiring HOTSHOT system.its about 25 bucks threw jegs and worth every penny. I had a hard start GM heat soak problem with my old starter..I put a new in and wired a hotshot to it works amazing.The HOTSHOT gives the solinoid more amps at start so it will work even when its hot.I didn't want to get stuck somewhere and for 25 bucks it was cheap insurance.

camaronewbie

So you think that adding this to my existing starter will make it start like new without having to replace the starter?

Or you are saying to get this with a new starter?

I not sure I see the point in the extra $25 if I'm getting a mini starter that won't touch the exhaust and thus won't get fried like the big bulky OEM starter does.

Besides - it's just a relay right? 30amp relays are about $7 and wiring I have already - so $25 seems high for a $7 relay and 2ft of wire.

Can you explain better what exactly it's going to do to keep heat from ruining the solenoid of a starter?

Damon

Keeping the solenoid from touching the exhaust is the main thing that will keep from frying the solenoid. A mini-starter will almost always buy you extra clearance in this respect. Heat shields and heat-reflecting starter wraps are available to help as well but I've never needed them when using a mini-starter. A starter kit with a remote-mounted solenoid like the one described above can also be of help, but I've also never needed one with any of the mini-starters I've used.

Some common, relatively inexpensive, mini-starter upgrades that are popular come from 93-97 4th gen F-body LT1 engines (straight bolt pattern for smaller 153 tooth flexplate/flywheels) and 96-up Vortec truck 350s (staggered bolt pattern for larger 168 tooth flexplate/flywheels). Both these style starters are also available rebuilt from eBay sellers for about $65-70. Just remember to get the proper bolts to go with them- they aren't the same length as most stock full size starters.

The aftermarket also has a zillion different types and styles of mini-starters available to suit your application. Some are basically clones of the starters I mentioned, above. Some are completely different designs.

game1939

168 flywheel does fit 700r4, I know i have a 91 camaro with the 3970010 block from 69 to 79 which is now a 383 bolted to the 700r4 that came with my 91 camaro, it has the 168 flywheel and mini starter....