I'm in Starter HELL!

RRDon · Oct 3, 2018

OK, to start with my car is a 1968 Road Runner with a 383 four speed.
I have ordered 3 different light weight starters and here's how it went:
Starter #1 from some internet company was drop shipped to me with a bad motor.
Starter #2 from Summit P/N 820337 would not work because Batt cable terminal was waay too close to the engine block. See pic below.

Starter Batt Term too close to 383 block.jpg

Returned it to Summit and they said to use the Powermaster 9513 which is adjustable.
Ok, I got the PWS 9513 and when I went to install it, guess what, the friggin mounting hole is blocked. You can't get the mounting bolt can't through! Check this out:

SO, here's my question, does anyone make a lightweight starter that will actually FIT and work on stock 383 engine? I'm sure some of you guys have been through this process. I could sure use your advice about now. Thanks, RRDon (frustrated)

65RoadRacer · Oct 3, 2018

dumb questions:
Can the starter be clocked? It looks like it can be re-clocked to make room for the bolt.
Can you install a stud? Then just put a nut on it and cinch it down.
Are you just buying starters in your budget? Why not an MSD Dynaforce starter, I got one and love it.
https://www.holley.com/products/electrical/starters/parts/5098

kiwigtx · Oct 3, 2018

This is very similar to the one I recently installed on my smallblock....

http://www.manciniracing.com/mopehist.html

Go to a MoPar specialist company ...rather than the big box stores, who mainly sell GM & Ford stuff. :thumbsup:

khryslerkid · Oct 3, 2018

I bought a stock '90s Dakota starter. I cut about 3/16" off the terminal for better clearance from the block, just piece of mind. The big Jegs wouldn't clear my headers.

chignikred · Oct 3, 2018

I have never had a problem with a stock starter, rebuilt right. Everything bolts up the way the car was designed.

Scatpack · Oct 3, 2018

Doing that right now in a 68 road runner with 383. Bought a starter from Napa for a 91 Dakota with 318. Same starter I used in my super bee, road runner, challenger I had and the same starter my neighbor use in 4 of his mopar muscle cars. I’ll post pictures for others to use for reference.

It comes like this.

Remove black cover and remove the post relocation bracket.

On my super bee, I had to grind where I marked with blue marker to make the mounting holes lined up. Not sure if it was my block or the starter I got some extra casting material in that area. Never had to do this to all the other starters I put in.

Scatpack · Oct 3, 2018

chignikred said:
I have never had a problem with a stock starter, rebuilt right. Everything bolts up the way the car was designed.

The sound of the stock starter is one of the coolest sounding starter of all times until you have to replace it and you have headers.... and you have bolts instead of studs for the headers :drinks:

vintage chromoly · Oct 3, 2018

Robbmc starter is a nice piece.
300 bucks, but made in the USA and indexable.

69hemibeep · Oct 3, 2018

You could also use a stud and a nut to mount the starter

69a100 · Oct 3, 2018

I'd just use one from a wrecker, but that's just me! Here's some more intel if needed, like some grinding. Good Luck
http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/elec/1.html

moparedtn · Oct 3, 2018

Current ride is a 440 4-speed with the ridiculously bad fitting Hedmans on it.
I echo those who are advising using the Dakota starter. It fits beautifully and is quite hardy.
Besides, if it goes bad, you bought the lifetime warranty rebuilt one from Autovancenapa, right?

Oh....and hell yes, use the factory stud on the mount.
That alone saves SO much grief!!

747mopar · Oct 3, 2018

khryslerkid said:
I bought a stock '90s Dakota starter. I cut about 3/16" off the terminal for better clearance from the block, just piece of mind. The big Jegs wouldn't clear my headers.

View attachment 662730 View attachment 662733 View attachment 662734

I did the same only bought mine at NAPA, a little tweeking for clearance and all is well.

747mopar · Oct 3, 2018

Scatpack said:
Doing that right now in a 68 road runner with 383. Bought a starter from Napa for a 91 Dakota with 318. Same starter I used in my super bee, road runner, challenger I had and the same starter my neighbor use in 4 of his mopar muscle cars. I’ll post pictures for others to use for reference. View attachment 662744
It comes like this.
View attachment 662745
Remove black cover and remove the post relocation bracket.
View attachment 662746
On my super bee, I had to grind where I marked with blue marker to make the mounting holes lined up. Not sure if it was my block or the starter I got some extra casting material in that area. Never had to do this to all the other starters I put in.

Had the same issue but cleaned up some casting on the block instead.

POMONAMISSEL · Oct 3, 2018

just use a stock start from a late model , i've gone to them on a few of my cars . big thing is terminal location . but there are relocater setups to help with that . i also put the groung cable direct to the start mount . helps them turn easier .

NHCharger · Oct 3, 2018

I have a DB mini starter on my Daytona clone, spins the 440 over with ease,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/132220644257

I have a Dakota starter on my 68 Charger. Spins the 440 over, but not as quick as the DB, but the 68 has more compression.

On both starters I ground the larger terminal down a bit for more clearance from the block. And even with a mini starter I still need to remove the header to get the starter out.

greenmachine · Oct 3, 2018

I have a 9513 on my 440. Use a stud. The clockable aspect is great with the headers.

Richard Eastham · Oct 4, 2018

Just got my Robbmc starter, infinate clockability, light, so small its cute, ill let you know how it fits after the weekend...

Richard Eastham · Oct 4, 2018

Richard Eastham said:
Just got my Robbmc starter, infinate clockability, light, so small its cute, ill let you know how it fits after the weekend...View attachment 663168 View attachment 663169 View attachment 663170

It fits... well, i need to do a bit of grinding as per the robbmc instructions but great clearance with hedmans

RRDon · Oct 4, 2018

Wow, lots of great info here. Looks like I'm not the only one that's been to 'starter hell' thanks guys

Mike67 · Oct 5, 2018

There was someone here or on FABO that had assembled a relocation kit for the ekectrical connections, I bought one but can't find the thread. I did however find the thread that shows which parts are contained and and can be bought elsewhere.
Here the link, the numbers are toward the bottom of the thread.
www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/mini-starter-solenoid-stud-relocation.206765/

I'm in Starter HELL!

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