This is long, and may not be in the right forum, but here goes:
The problem begins with the fact that I am using a '90 truck 350 block and bottom end. I bought a set of brand new Hedman 68470's and the #2 cylinder primary tube hits the starter, and doesnt allow the flange to seal against the head.


For those of you not familiar with truck blocks, the '90 350 came with a one piece rear main and a 163-tooth flexplate. Because of this, the starter sicks out about a half inch to an inch farther than the stocker on an '85 LG4.

Now, I would just throw on the 153-tooth flexplate and maching starter from the original LG4 to make everything clear, but the '85 apparently has a two piece rear main seal and the bolt pattern doesnt match up to my '90 crank (the bolt pattern diameter is about 3/8" larger on the '85). I have aquired a 163-tooth flexplate to go from a '90 350 to a 700R4, but I still can't use my headers. Any suggestions? Can my muffler shop modify my headers, or am I stuck using cast manifolds? By the way, the motor isn't in the car yet, so I still have quite a bit of modification freedom.

 

The solution is simple...get a flywheel for an 85 camaro with the 5.0 tpi..it used the two part seal and old style flange with the wieght on the crank. that will enable you to use your or original starter and your headmans will fit fine without mods. Of course you could just go out and drop the coin for a mini starter too.


Uhhh...ooOps nevermind I got that all backwards

 

He has a 1 piece RMS crank.

 

Get an 87 and up 1 piece 153 tooth flex plate and starter to match.
PM me if you need more help.

 

Sounds good. If it's a 153 tooth flexplate, then I can theoretically use the starter that came with the LG4. So all I have to do is exchange the 163-tooth flexplate I just bought with a post '87 153-tooth.

 

or order a mini starter and be done with it ....lol..just my

 

That was my first idea, but there's a problem with that too. To a starving college student who already has a brand new flex plate to exchange, a mini starter takes away a few too many meals in the form of cash. In short, I'm poor and cool modifications come secondary to making the car run as cheaply as possible.