Long story short, one of the starter holes is stripped on my block, and making it worse, a piece of the block next to the hole is "chipped". It cannot be repaired without pulling the engine, and even then the block should probably be replaced.

I saw a post referencing this "starter plate kit" that appears to allow me to use a different starter, and bolt the starter to the bellhousing. Has anyone tried this? any tips? I'm using a 700r4.

http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-en...l?dept_id=1315


classicchevy.com sells a starter plate adapter for mating a TH trans to a pre-57 265 v8 that did not have starter mount holes on the block, they were on the trans bellhousing. it simply goes in between the bellhousing and the block, you get a starter for a 55-56 bel-air and the flywheel to match, AND PRESTO! problem fixed. it costs about $100, and i priced the starter for $50 at local parts store. i recently purchased the kit, and will be installing it soon, ill post on how it goes."

 

You should not need that adapter I wouldn't think - maybe depending on which hole was busted.

I thought that most all late model blocks had the holes in place for both kinds of starters, the staggered and the inline (I know my old 1970's 350 block has both sets of holes, and my factory 305 did as well). The issue is with the flywheel. These cars all came from factory with a 153 tooth flywheel. With the 700R4, you can change to the 168 tooth flywheel (can't do it on a T5 car), and thus use the other starter.

Like I said, I guess it all depends on which of the 3 starter holes in your block is busted out - all starters use one of the holes, then depending on the starter either hole #2 or hole #3 is used. Might be able to just change flywheels, and spend the savings from this adapter on a nice mini-torque starter.

 

The hole that is busted is the "single" hole on that side. Yes my block can accept either staggered or not starters, but because it's the single hole on that side, that doesnt help me.

It's either try to jury rig this adapter, or pull the new motor with ~300 miles on it, and swap everything into a new block

NIGHTMARE