Hello all,

I'm in the midst of a auto to manual swap on my beast; it's an 86 w/ a 350 (638 block, 4" cylinder diameter.....must have been swapped out by a previous owner).

In the article on how to swap auto to manual, there is no mention of replacing the starter. However, the 153 tooth flywheel is obviously smaller than the flexplate currently installed...I do not believe the starter will engage the flywheel.

Is there a modification required to the starter to run a t5 behind a 350? Or do I simply need to get my hands on a starter from a 305? Something like this?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Chevy-305-350-454...item5d2973a9ae

All input appreciated!!! After this, it's build time!!!

 

A regular LT1 starter fit on my Gen I block with my T56. My orig 305 700r4 starter also fit my new 350 + T56. I'm pretty sure they're all the same as long as you dont have the staggered starter bolt holes on the block.

The T5 will be living on borrowed time, though. No power shifting, especially in 3rd.

 

Any starter from a V8 thirdgen will fit. I think I told the parts store I had an 85 Camaro when I got the starter for the engine swap in my 92. At the time I wasn't sure if a starter from a 92 V8 would fit my 70's 350 block.

 

It is the spacing of the teeth that matters, not the amount of teeth.

 

it has to have the small nose cone. i had autozone look one up for me during my 383 swap, the starter they pulled was wrong, and for some reason they do not show any difference between an automatic and a standard.

 

I know there are different diameter flywheels available, so it would stand to reason that not ALL starters will always fit. ...Mayber all thirdgen V8s are the same though, IDK.

I too just swapped, and I bought a new starter. Spec'd a 305/t5 starter to the guy at Napa. It was physically a little smaller than the same 350/a4 starter. We looked at 'em both because we both weren't sure. Now it was just the body of the starter that was smaller. I can't say the larger 350/A4 starter wouldn't have worked, just saying it was bigger.

...but it worked out so far, because now I don't have to drop the exhaust Y pipe, which I used to have to do in the past!

 

Just an FYI 350 third gens got a heavier, larger starter than 305 third gens; both for 153 tooth flywheels. Pics here:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...944-post5.html

If you had a 168 tooth automatic flexplate and now have a 153 tooth flywheel for the T5 swap, yes you need a third gen 305 (or LT1 F-body perm. magnet or C4 vette gear reduction) starter.

 

Just get a mini-starter.

 

Thanx for the replies lads.

My mechanic crawled under the car with the flywheel and says it's exactly the same size....so it must be a 153 tooth flexplate, and hence must have a starter to match.

This would make sense as the car started life as a 305 (1986).

It should be coming together this weekend...I'll keep you guys posted.

I have a ton of pics that I'll post up once complete.

Faz

 

I finished mine Wednesday evening. Good luck!!!

 

Nice!!! Did you get to take it for a rip? What rear end are you running?