I am switching out my 1989's TH700R with a 91 T5 setup. It was mentioned in another post that I needed to swap the starter motor as they are different. Just want to verify as the online auto parts stores sell the same one for both auto and manual.

 

Yes and no.

A T-5 starter, ANY year, will also fit an auto, ANY year, but not the inverse.

After some year they changed them to all be the same. (OE that is... not talking about parts store listings) Other than that, year model makes no difference. That is, a 83 T-5 starter will fit a 92 T-5 or auto; a 91 auto starter might or might not fit a 84, or 87, or 91 T-5, but it might, and will fit ANY auto trans with 12.8" wheel which is roughly ALL pass cars (NOT trucks) 78 or so on up; and so forth.

As far as what particular starter YOU have in your hand, I can't begin to guess. You're in the might or might not category.

 

Thanks. I have one of those gear reduction ones- smaller. It's not OEM. It came on the car.

 

Most of the mini-starters don't have a snout (bendix shaft support/bearing housing, etc) so they will fit either application as long as you are using the 12.8" passenger car flywheel/flexplate.

GD

 

This my flywheel

 

You're on safe ground.
That one is
153 tooth = 12.8"; these use the straight across, unequal length bolts.

The others would be
168 tooth = 14"; these use the diagonally located, equal length bolts.

 

Cool. Thanks all!