I am confused about starters. I want to get a mini high torque starter with solenoid. I have a 1988 SBC 350. It is drilled for both a straight or an offset mount starter. I have installed a 153 tooth flex plate (because it was cheaper than the 168 tooth). I see I can buy a 153 tooth starter, 168 tooth starter or a 153/168 tooth. I see 168 tooth starters are a lot cheaper than the 153 (figures). All the starters I am looking at have 11 teeth. As far as I can tell, the 153 tooth starter is straight mount, 168 is offset mount, and the 153/163 starters are drilled for both mounting positions. So do I need to match the flex plate with the starter or will either starter work on either flex plate? Just trying to save money but more importantly want the engine to start!!
I recommend an AC Delco part number 337-1023. That fits a 153 tooth flywheel. You can get them pretty cheap from Summit or Amazon.
The multi pattern starter has 4 holes straight across. You only use the 2 of the four. This allows starter to be placed more near the crank shaft or further away from it. I prefer AC Delco mini starters also. Just be sure to get correct bolts to use with it. Shank is metric to match the starter holes and threads are SAE to match the block.
I keep track of it this way....The shortest distance between two point is a straight line...153 teeth on the flywheel/ flexplate for a straight across bolt pattern. 168 teeth flywheel/flexplate for the non-straight across mounting starter. Starter and flywheel/flexplate must match up.
If it were mine, I would buy the OE style starter to match the flexplate you bought. In your case, use the one @Driver50x recommended, or look up 89 IROC 350, it's the older style, HD starter for the smaller diameter flex plate(or at least it is on the one I have). In any case, get the proper bolts for the starter application.
Does high torque mean that the starter has more power? Do I need a high torque starter? My engine is a little stiff (can't turn by hand) with a torque wrench on, it takes about 25ft# to turn. Thought I read somewhere that the smaller diameter, extended part on the back of the starter meant high torque along with the heavy duty copper stud. I have also seen some starters with a 9 or an 11 tooth gear. Below is an AC Delco 336-1880 (recommended for 1989 IROC as posted above) Below is an AC Delco 337-1015 notice it does not have smaller diameter end section
Yes high torque are stronger starter motors; whether you need one or not, ?? I've never really had issues with starters, so don't know. Good internals, good connections, good to go. For me.
Don't cheap out on the starter. It's the part guaranteed to***** itself on a rainy, pitch dark night or when at the car show just when you're leaving in front of an audience.
Assume since this is a run stand engine, you won’t be working on sliding the starter in between some OEM exhaust. Just hit up you local parts store for a standard starter 25 ft/lbs is not tight for a rotating****embly. Now if the heads were on and the plugs in, I’d say things were way to loose
Well, there is plenty of advice. SBC is not rocket science . Get the best sarter you can that is correct. There is plenty of threads on this if you do a search.
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