I'm about fed up with this problem! It's your standard plain jane left hand dipstick small block chev. Also has a run of the mill turbo 350. The thing I need to know is how many different starter options are there for a little chevy? I have tried starters for the big ring gear, they only work with a PILE of shims on the outside bolt. OK wrong starter, try the one for the small ring gear, hits flexplate and I cant even install! UGH, what am I missing. I have never had this problem. Thanks for the help, Tony. .
I had a similar problem on my 327 cause I had a conglomaration of parts early 327 348 Bellhousing and a pickup starter I ran through no less that 6 different staers and combinations there of.and findly ended up using one of those ministarters after I chewed up two fly wheels and a shelf full of starters I have a collection of shims I'll let go for a couple of hundred bucks. The ministarter has been on there 5 years it's quite and fail safe so far. There are two different flywheel teeth count though I don't remember the numbers but somthing like 156 and 164, numerous snouts and mounting arangements the best being the front offof a 396 starter thats all steel and small inside diameter. Are you using new bolts and I assume that you are using to bolts to the block and checking clearance with a paper clip and shimming appropriatley.
I havent put new bolts in it in a while cuz they didnt change a thing. And as far as shimming goes, I have to keep going till it works. and Im not talkin like 2 or 3 shims, im talking like almost a half inch worth! I have never seen such a thing! .
The starter with the straight across bolt holes is for use with the small diameter, 153 tooth ring gear flywheel. The starter with the staggered bolt holes is for use with the larger diameter 168 tooth ring gear flywheel. The pre-'63 cars used a three bolt starter that bolted to the bell housing; this one also used the 168 tooth flywheel.
There are not very many combinations, and only one that's very common...but keep in mind, i'm talking 1960s-70s stuff here, not late models! the ring gears come in 153 tooth and 168 tooth. Starters for the small flywheel use one short and one long bolt. Starters for the big one use two equal length bolts. The most common one has an aluminum nose and uses long bolts, the less common one has a cast iron nose and uses shorter bolts. Some of the blocks were drilled wrong, some were not drilled for both starters at the factory and had a hole added later in the wrong place (been thru this recently on a 327), and it's pretty common to have to add a stack of shims on the outer bolt on the crappy 70s blocks. also..the 3 bolt starter that bolts to the bellhousing was used on most V8s, 55-62, and on V8 trucks 55-62 and all trucks 63-72.
The one with the straight across holes wont even come close to going on. So I have the one with staggered holes on it. Did GM change anything in the 80's as far as flexplates/ starters go? I've had so many small blocks and never this problem! .
At work we have a couple early 90's flexplates and matching starters layin' around, they are the smaller ones. Any reason a pair that new wont work on a 70's vintage engine? Any balance changes or anything? .
Will not work ... In 1986 or so Chevrolet changed the crankshaft to flywheel mounting bolt circle. They went to a 1 piece oil pan gasket and a new 1 piece real main seal ( similar to the front ... only larger ) .
I'm having the same problem, what is your 350 out of? Are engine is out of a 87 chevy truck. Its been awhile sence we worked on it cant remember all the details! We we trying to use chevys mine-starter for extra clearance of exhaust. be following the post closely.
Can you get the casting number off the back of the block ?-(on top next to bellhousing-driver side). That may help narrow it down. Reece
drivers side by bell housing 970 330 Not sure about the 33 hard to read Pass side bellhousing J239 Pass front in front of head V1027CNV Hope some of these help..... for all I know its just a 305.
CNV was used on 1970 chevrolet full size, 2bbl 350, and your block casting date code is Oct 23, likely either 69 or 79. 69 would make it a 1970 model year engine. if there's another number sequence stamped on the pad by the V1027CNV number, it would tell for sure what year it is. Sounds like the casting number isn't gonna help unless you can read it better?
970 330 = ??? V1027CNV = Flint, MI Oct. 27 J239 = Oct. 23 19?9 A pic of the starter & starter mounting area of the block would help.
There are more smaller harder to read numbers on the front of the block but I was in a hurry and didnt have time to clean the rust off better maybe get them tomorrow!
seems I was able to check the numbers in a book a few years ago and came up with a 350 out of a 70 impala but not sure if it was this engine or not. but i think i am to the point of switching to smaller fly wheel and starter and hope that fixes it!
I had the same problem with one of my cars. (camaro) I took the big ring gear starter with the offset bolts and had a corrective head put on it at my local starter shop and it corrected the problem, only cost about $30 buck too........hope that helps
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