This may or may not be the best location for this, but here goes...

I just swapped a 70's model 010 motor (without the third "straight" hole provision for the starter) into my '85 Z-28 and mated it to a '91 RS WC T5. Problem is, the starter I bought ('85 Z-28) doesn't fit with this setup. The bolt holes don't line up correctly. In addition, I'm almost certain that the '91 starter would not fit becuase it needs the two straight holes.

Any thoughts?

 

You either need the hole in the block, or you need to not use a T5.

 

The starter I bought today was for a manual transmission '85 Z and has the staggered bolt pattern...it just simply won't bolt up. Can you provide some insight as to why?

 

If it has a staggered bolt pattern, how sure are you it's for an 85 Camaro?

Your engine has the staggered bolt pattern for a starter to use with a 168 tooth flywheel. Your T5 uses a 153 tooth flywheel, which needs a starter with the straight bolt pattern. There is no way to use a staggered bolt pattern starter with a 153 tooth flywheel, and the T5 bellhousing doesn't fit a 168 tooth flywheel.

 

I'm as sure as the guy at Autozone who sold it to me.

I've never heard that the 153 tooth REQUIRES a straight bolt pattern starter and vice versa, but this is true, eh?

This is the starter I purchased today. Note the staggered pattern and the note that say's manual transmission.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...9152_192373_0_

 

It's true. The staggered hole would have to go through through the starter body to be used with a 153 tooth flywheel.

Even universal mini starters that fit either flywheel use the straight pattern for both.

 

Well, that sucks. I guess that something that a drill and tap can take care of, right?

 

In theory, but it would be extremely difficult to do it by hand with the precision required, especially while the engine is in the car.

 

You need to tap a new starter bolt hole. Good luck.

 

Man, your just full of good news! None of these aftermarket companies make a starter with staggered holes for the 153T flywheel???

 

If you do it in-car, find a steel sleeve that fits the bolt-hole of the starter with small i.d. to guide the first drill bit. You really should do that on the next drill bit. Then the final one that will be tapped out to 3/8-16 should be in the right place.

I can't recall what a good way to mount the starter with the outboard bolt would be in order to start the initial hole though.

I have zero desire to use an old quicker-wearing, 2pc RMS, 168-bolt pattern block for this reason.

 

Here's one that's adapter-equipped to work in that scenario:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CSI-100PSBP/?rtype=10

But frankly, I think you should read:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...368-post9.html

Hallelujah for late model blocks.

 

Yep. That's what I got for mine. Though I've got the T5 and the 153 tooth flywheel. I got mine from Jegs and it came with an adapter to fit all kinds of applications.

 

here's another bit of info -- long bolt, short bolt starters are for small flywheel. Long bolt, long bolt starters are for big flywheel. I am not sure if they make a staggered long/short pattern