I have an 89 305TBI that I am trying to bring back to life, hasn't run in 15 years. Tested my starter and it is bad so I ordered a reman starter. It is a few inches shorter than the original and seems to be quite a bit lighter. The original starter has a support bracket on the rear end. Being that the new one is shorter this bracket will not fit. Is this correct? Will it not matter so much as it is lighter, or did I get the wrong starter. It said it fit my model when I ordered it.

 

A starter needs supported only with the two large bolts that fasten it to the block, ESPECIALLY so if it's the smaller/better/lighter mini-starter which it sounds like you have.

 

There are at least two different V8 starters used on thirdgens. IIRC the smaller starter has a steel strap retaining the solenoid, vs the solenoid with two ears for retaining screws on the larger. Seem to remember the smaller version was specific to the 305 on later cars. Or might have been 5spd specific. Doesn't really matter, if it bolts up and matches the flywheel diameter it'll work.

Generally the support bracket is something I wouldn't discard. If GM felt it was a good idea to add an extra support, why tempt fate? Personally, I'd probably find a replacement starter that matched my original just so the bracket would bolt up again.

 

Think this is it,...... The Auto Starter ( used the brace at the back ) is too large to fit inside the t5 bell-housing. The T5 starter will work on an auto car, but I don't think it's as "strong" as the auto version and will probably burn out quicker as a result when used on the Automatic engines.

STARTER BOLTS ARE SPECIFIC TO THE STARTERS TOO !! Auto starters need auto starter bolts and stick starters need stick starter bolts !!

IIRC the 90's stock LT1 "mini" starter will work OK on the 1 pc RMS seal Thirdgens,... right ??