Okay so here's the deal I've got a 1974 2 bolt 350 with a 1968 307 flex-plate. The 1968 starter doesnt bolt up to the new block because it's got the bolts straight across instead of staggered. So I got a 1974 starter that has the bolts staggered, it bolts up to the block but wont engage the flex-plate. I put the 1968 starter on with one bolt to see if it would reach the flex-plate, it does but then it pivoted on the bolt and wouldnt engage again. Is there another starter that could bolt into the 1974 block and reach the 1968 flex-plate? I'm really trying to avoid having to take it all apart again. Thanks.
Search is for you. There was a whole big thread on this very topic last week or two. Had part numbers, applications and everything.
Gr***hopper, you need a starter that has the staggered pattern. 153 tooth flywheel. Straight pattern is on the 168 tooth flywheel. Search, learn Gr***hopper. Tia Kwon Leap you will learn one day.
Well, I read the topic you mentioned. Thanks. Unfortunately my block only has two offset mounting holes so it needs the 168 tooth flywheel. I did some research and found out that you can drill a hole for the straight across bolt pattern so I can use the 153 tooth starter. Any advice on how to do that? At first glance it looks like it would be easier then taking the engine out again.
why not just replace the flexplate with the 168 tooth version? or look at aftermarket mini starters you might find one that will work
You can drop the trans, swap the flexplate and have a permanent solution. Couple hours and 40 bucks for a flexplate. Or...you can have the "attempt to drill, tap, align, screw with, chinese aftermarket ****py starter and shims and bolts and washers and deal with it forever" type of solution. Priceless....
Hmm. Maybe not such a great idea. Well I figured if someone else did it then I could do it. But I guess that's the difference between "could" and "should".
Didn't GM put out a few starters that had both bolt patterns on the nose cone housing? Didn't it roll around in a shaker cleaner filled with Coke bottle caps to clean off the barnacles? Memory from being 17 years old looking at stuff in a starter rebuild shop. 44 now. If you have the money/time to find one of them, you will have spent the same as changing to a 168 tooth flyweel. No "Missed It By That Much" problems and the same needed course of action for 168.
Why not drill it? What do you have to lose? Line the starter up, tighten the one bolt down, use a bit that fits snugly in the hole to mark the center, remove the starter, drill with the correct size tap drill and tap the hole. I'm surprised nobody's made a jig that bolts in the staggered holes. You could make a bushing to hold the tap drill straight in the starter.
Lots of time, a drill bit, a tap, cutting fluid, bolts, shims, maybe a block, buying a new starter that may or may not work. Just that stuff.
He has the starter and bolts. It won't take anywhere near as much time to drill and tap as it will to take it apart and replace the flywheel. I believe starter bolts are 7/16 and a 3/8 drill will work for a tap drill. Even if he screws up the new hole, the originals are still there so he's no worse off than he started with.
Lots of bad info being tossed about here.... First of all, the powerglide bellhousing will not take a 168 tooth flywheel..only room for the 153. Second, the straight across starter bolts are for the 153 tooth flywheel.. ( staggered bolts for 168 ) Third, the starter mounting bolts are 3/8-16 thread. AND they are pilot drilled almost 1/2" into the block so the knurled portion of the bolt will register tight on both the block and starter housing. Easy fix if you are sure the block has straight across holes and you have a 153 tooth flywheel...Use a #3664 starter.. Or an aftermarket mini starter, just use the set of holes that put the starter closest to the oil pan. Good luck Dave I re-read the orig. post... Goodson brand # sdj-1.. drilling jig / fixture This will allow you to drill the inner hole , you can do it with the engine still in the car. Maybe your local engine guy has one you can borrow or rent ??
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