I have a t-56 and was using the origional 305 starter. I'm doing my 383 engine swap right now, kept the same starter, flywheel, and bellhousing. Now the starter won't fit. It only needs to go back another couple of milimeters, the bellhousing and starter are clean and free of debre. I didn't install the tranny the first time, so maybe my mechanic had more leverage because the car was on the lift? Unfortuantly the only lift I have are jack stands, and messing with the heavy a$$ starter is getting frustrating. I have moved the gear in the starter as well so it lines up with the flywheel. Any ideas?

 

you may need to do additional grinding on the bellhousing.

 

is the starter for an automatic? if so it wont fit ull need to get one for a manual transmission car

 

Well, the car was automatic. But I swapped to the t-56 a little less then a year ago, and have been using the same starter ever since. I took it off when doing my engine swap. It just doesn't seem to want to go back in

 

V8 T5 and 700-R4 third gens use the same starter.


It's usually a lot easier to get the bellhousing over a starter that has a bit of interference, than to get the starter in, after the fact. All I could tell you is that some leverage may get it in there; been there, done that.

 

actually jmd they are a different part number, at least in 84 they were, but with the help of my trusty grinder i was able to make my brand new starter for a 700r4 application, fit into the t5 bell housing,


i really can't comment on a t56 no first hand experience

 

From what I gather, any 305 starter '85-up will work with a t-56, whether from a t-5 or 700r. The 350 starters on the other hand create a problem. Unfortuantly, my 305 starter is a very tight fit, even though it worked with the t-56 before.