Need help from the pros - starter problems

[pontiacfan18]

Car is an 85 Pontaic Grand Prix. Originally had a 305 Chevy in it (came stock). I switched it out for a mid 70s 350, at which time I used the flexplate off the original 305. Got some headers and realized they weren't going to fit (nicely) without a mini-starter. Except..the mini starter I have won't fit. See pics:

Mini starter:

Stock (mounted on the original engine..no reason):

If you can see from the pics, the tip of the gear that pops out, on the stock starter, is vertically flush with the block (meaning if you held a ruler or straight edge up against the block, it would touch the block and just touch the very tip of the gear that pops out). The tip on the mini-starter is not, it hangs out about 3/4 of an inch. When I went to install the mini-starter, the gear was already bumping into/touching the flexplate and it wasn't going to work. It doesn't need to be shimmed down, needs to be moved towards the front of the car (if that makes sense..but it's too much distance to move to make a bracket or something myself). Now the mini-starter I got off craigslist for $20, but I really want to just buy a new one, which should I buy? Has anyone run into this before? TIA! -pontiacfan18

 

[megaladon6]

now i've never seen it happen this way, but flip the flexplate around. (i've seen the opposite happen--the starter is too far away from the plate)
or you may need to get a flexplate for the 350. i don't know for sure, but the 85 motor may be a single piece rear main seal whereas the 350 is a 2pc in 74.

 

[monte olrac]

i have used this type of starter before, the tip does not go flush with the block, this starter is used for both 163 and 158 flywheels and flexplates, try using the other holes and see if you can get it to work, and you will most likely need to shim it. i would try every possible combonation you can before you get a new starter...if you do get a new one get powermaster or one from a reputable company. that looks like on of those cheap ones from ebay (mine crapped out on me in about a year) hope that helps

 

[pontiacfan18]

Grrr...it's possible I put it on backwards. The engine went in, in July and I forget 🙁 I don't think I did...but I've said that before and have been wrong 😛 Do you think something like this would work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-SBC- ... ccessories (And yeah ^^ I agree if I bought this exact one it's not going to be around too long, but I just mean do you think a stock looking mini starter would work? I think I might give it a try if I can find a decent name who makes one...). Again, possible I did the flexplate wrong but the winter is here and that Isn't going to get fixed anytime soon if I did. 🙁

Looks more (almost exactly, pic wise) like the original starter that was on there..

 

[monte olrac]

Grrr...it's possible I put it on backwards. The engine went in, in July and I forget 🙁 I don't think I did...but I've said that before and have been wrong

if it a 2 piece rear main, i doubt that you did im not to sure about the 1 peice. it normaly has a indention that goes over the crankshaft end

 

[pontiacfan18]

Yeah I just ran out to my garage now and crawled under there..looks like the TC is only going to bolt on one way so it appears to be right...think a mini-starter like the one in the ebay link would work? I'm thinking that might be what I need...idk though 🙁

 

[monte olrac]

it should work, for how long? who knows, but like i said i would try to fix the one you have now untit you have no other option

 

[monte olrac]

also with those mini starter like the one you have, that block can come off and you may be able to order the shim to space back the starter motor from the block

 

[pontiacfan18]

Thanks for your help guys 🙂 Feel like I'll get something to work now. Was doing a whole bunch of stuff under the car today (replacing the oil pump, pan, gasket, some exhaust work)..then I ended on a bad note with the starter just refusing to fit 😛 I'll report back when I get something to work.

 

[85olds4spd]

Is there any numbers that you can check for the mini starter? Is it even for a chevy maybe its for another motor.