firechicken_3

iTrader: (4)

just picked up a 350 from a friend, to use in my firebird which is currently a 305

the 305 has an almost new starter in it that uses the straight bolt pattern, if memory serves me

the new motor is only drilled for the offset bolt pattern, what application do i need to use a starter from????

i've gotta run the smaller flywheel because its a 5 spd

i'd rather not spend a ton of money on an aftermarket starter if at all possible because the motor really doesn't need that kind of power


oh BTW the current starter is a stock replacement for an 84 with a 5spd, so its the smaller nosed type which is needed to clear the bell housing properly

thirdgen88

Before you put the motor in, I'd have the other hole drilled and tapped...

sellmanb

If the holes arent the same bolt pattern for the starter, then you NEED to bring it to a machine shop and tell them to drill it for your starter. There's no aftermarket starter or ANYTHING that you can do about it. You'll probably spend just as much on having the holes drilled and tapped than you would for a new starter anyhow, but this way you can use any starter you want if yours craps out.

Think of it like an investment, and you arent loosing any money since a new starter is like 80 - 110 dollars (or so, higher up for better starters obviously), and I bet the machine work wouldn't be more than 60 - 100 depending the machine shop rates around your city.

firechicken_3

iTrader: (4)

i guess i should have included that fact that teh motor is together as a short block and id rather not dissasemble it if at all possible it was rebuilt not long ago,


are you saying that there is absolutlely NO starter out there that uses the offset type pattern and is for the small 153 tooth flywheel?

firechicken_3

iTrader: (4)

well i took the advice above and called a shop and the said its not a big deal to drill that hole with the motor assembled they shrinkwrap the entire thing and it would only cost me about $25


SO guess where im going tomorrow?

sellmanb

there's NO starter for it.

and wasnt the holes cheaper than a new starter... like I said?

Glad you got it all figured out man. I love to see happy endings hehe

RB83L69

Think about it for a minute.... the smaller flywheel requires that the starter shaft be moved closer to the crank to mate with it.... the bolt hole you don't have is closer to the crank than the one you do have.... the reason the other bolt hole is required (i.e. was added to later model engines after they weeniefied the starter), is because a bolt in the hole that's already there, would have to go RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE of the moving parts of the starter.... so unless you know of a way to build a starter where a bolt can go RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE of the Bendix and the starter still work somehow, it ain't going to happen.

You wouldn't believe the number of times I've posted this, the number of times that people who have never done such an install have posted back about how this or that or the other starter "ought to" work, and the person who asked thequestion heard what he wanted to hear, and went ahead and screwed up; and then thought it was all GM's fault somehow that he didn't listen to the facts.

Glad you proceeded directly to the correct solution without detours. It's really not that painful at all to do the right thing, IF you do it BEFORE the motor is in the car (unlike some people...).

This pic shows a block that I drilled (this one is a 400). The intersection of the cyan lines shows how far off the location of the existing hole is from where it needs to be. Look inside your starter and get yourself a good laugh at the expense of the people who don't know what they're talking about when they tell you about some starter "ought to" work.

firechicken_3

iTrader: (4)

thanks guys, after some pondering and thinkin rb thats the conclusion that i came to. thus i called the machine shop, i suppose i could do it myself heck the guy at the shop even told me too and said all you need to do is use the starter as a guide i dont remember bit sizes but he told me them too, but i dont have the bits or tap in proper condition so im gonna let them do it

Eats5.0's

iTrader: (1)

And you'll pay a little now and have a nice professional job done the correct way. Good thinking, I'd do the same.

firechicken_3

iTrader: (4)

job done, actually only cost me $10. drove 35mi to get there, waited 10 min for the guy to get ready, then it took him less than 10 min to line up drill and tap the hole, more time driving than anything else

robby_0351

In the picture is the new hole drilled? I assume that the circled hole is the new hole that is needed? Or is the new hole not drilled in the picture and will be drilled at the intersection of the lines?

thirdgen88

All holes are drilled in the picture... The intersecting line illustrates why you need the circled hole.