So, I bought a new mini starter http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PWM-9100/ for when I had my old stock 305 because my headers were burning up the stock starter solenoid. Upon attempting to install it, no amount of shims would make it line up properly. Also, by freak accident, my buddy managed to break off a corner of the mounting plate which is made of FORGED ALUMINUM(the hell?). We simply could not understand why it wouldn't fit. The starter is for either a 153-tooth or 168-tooth flexplate and is clearly for SBCs so it should definitely work. Well, we eventually bought a stock style starter and ran a Ford style solenoid mounted to the fender to run the starter. This worked very well. In between my stock 305 and getting the 383, my friend managed to fix the mini starter and use it successfully and with no trouble at all on his sbc modified motor. When I just recently purchased my 383, we took the old motor out and found that the stock starter nose was broken and so we decided to try and use the mini starter. It still would not fit. We would have to practically shim it into the header collector that runs 3" below it in order for it to line up. So we scrounged up another mini starter and it bolted up just fine. However, it is on loan and not permanent.
I would also like to note that it took us a day to put both motors in. 4 hours were spent in putting the motor back in and realigning and connecting everything. upwards of 5 hours were spent on each either trying to make the starter work, buying shims to make the starter work/ or finding/buying a different starter.
I am wondering whether perhaps Powermaster makes a faulty starter, the starter had a factory misaligned gear or mounting plate, or perhaps there might be a different reason for this FRUSTRATING problem. I could just buy another stock starter, however, $120 is a lot to spend on something that didn't work right out of the box and that I may just need more information about in order for it to run. Any experience, tips, or advice is appreciated. Thanks.
I would also like to note that it took us a day to put both motors in. 4 hours were spent in putting the motor back in and realigning and connecting everything. upwards of 5 hours were spent on each either trying to make the starter work, buying shims to make the starter work/ or finding/buying a different starter.
I am wondering whether perhaps Powermaster makes a faulty starter, the starter had a factory misaligned gear or mounting plate, or perhaps there might be a different reason for this FRUSTRATING problem. I could just buy another stock starter, however, $120 is a lot to spend on something that didn't work right out of the box and that I may just need more information about in order for it to run. Any experience, tips, or advice is appreciated. Thanks.
