Went to put the LT1 style starter in as my Summit mini starter died... but it doesn't fit!

Seems the snout is hitting the bellhousing where I circled before the bolts can line up.

Remember, 83 was the one year only T5/manual linkage car so please only reply if you know what's going on!

 

Maybe you got the starter for the old 4 speed manual? Remember, 4 speed manual was standard in '83, 5 speed was an extra cost option.

 

The 4 speed was 82 only except for some 4 cylinder 1983 cars. It was not optional in 83 for the V6 or V8.

The starter I got and pictured here is for a 90's Corvette/Camaro with the LT1 that's supposed to fit, unless there are differences in LT1 starters.

 

just by looking at the pic that dose not look right, the bulge for the starter looks way too low like the bellhousing isn't clocked properly(I dont even think that's possable)... keep us posted I'm curious as to what you find out

 

Here's a pic of a hyd BH. Ignore the 6-cyl one.



Looks to me like that part is the same on this one as on yours; but I don't recall what my 83's looked like before I swapped it over to hyd. That was over 30 yrs ago though.

I'd suggest looking into your new starter; specifically, if there's different ones for stick vs auto.

 

Just go to an aftermarket mini-starter that has no snout on it. This is the one I use and recommend:

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

It has a very large support bearing for the Bendix. Cranks like a beast.

GD

 

looks to be a vortec truck motor starter with the staggered pattern for the larger flywheel/flexplate

the LT1 starter should have the mounting bolt holes in-line

 

Yeah guys, I think the boneyard gave me a truck starter and not an LT1 starter, gotta be the problem. Or it's for an auto, but I don't think they'd screw that up that much haha

GeneralDisorer, I had a mini starter on it that lasted maybe 10 starts. I don't think I had it shimmed out far enough and it stayed engaged. That's why I wanted to go with a stock one, no thinking! At least I thought...

 

So, being the stupid moron that I am, I boldly went where no smart person would ever go, and looked up the 96 Vette starter at a parts store.

Here's what a 96 Vette starter looks like.

https://www.autozone.com/external-en...18305_100936_0

It's a Denso; not a Delco design at all. And Nothing REMOTELY like the one you have there. It even has the in-line bolt pattern that would be required for a 12.8" flywheel.

Similarly, here's the old CVR I still have on my car, that I bought back in about 97 or 98.




Also obviously a Denso.

Looks like you got hosed.

 

Yeah the cheapo Chinese mini starters have given me problems also. And I have had big issues with PowerMaster products in general on my car so definitely look elsewhere. After much frustration with none of these inexpensive manufacturers seemingly able to supply performance oriented daily driver quality electric parts I went with a recommendation from my Odyssey battery rep that deals with alternator and starter issues for all the drag racers in our area and went with Meziere. I have ZERO complaints about the product. Finely CNC machined, and all made in USA. Serviceable with inexpensive replacement solenoids, and replaceable bendix drives, etc. Yes the entry price is steep but as with most things - the quality remains long after the price is forgotten.

GD

 

OK, never updated.

My problem with the pictured 'vette starter was that it was for a 97+ and the junkyard was dumb.

Then I ordered the 1996 'vette starter that everyone else uses... and it turned out to hit my dipstick so IT wouldn't fit either.

Yep, the weird 80's passenger dipstick is giving me issues again... just like when I tried to find a 2-piece rear main seal passenger dipstick aluminum oil pan.

Ended up going with a totally stock $48 1985 305 starter. It's like 20lbs and will heat soak but whatever... the car starts.