Minii starter disaster job.

[chrger1967]

I have been trying all afternoon to install a new mini starter. I put in the stud and hooked up the wiring before I tried installing it. The problem I'm having is that the top bolt will not line up and let me thread it in. I've been trying for hours and I'm starting to fume a little. I'm thinking I should give up on the mini starter, I did have it in yesterday, but today I won't happen. I'm thinking about giving up and just having my old one rebuilt. I just worry about how long these rebuilds last, the one in the car when I bought it a few months ago was a rebuilt.

 

[threewood]

Something is hitting on the block IMHO. Some mini starters have an electrical adaptor mounted that can interfere. It can be removed. Is this going on a big block or small block?

 

[Don Frelier]

I had to clearance a bit with an angle grinder on my Charger.
The Plymouth went right in.

 

[chrger1967]

Something is hitting on the block IMHO. Some mini starters have an electrical adaptor mounted that can interfere. It can be removed. Is this going on a big block or small block?

After allot of fighting and cursing, I was able to get it in, only to find out it will not engage the flywheel. I guess the mini starter wasn't such a good idea after all. I rebuilder close to me wants $155 with a year warranty.

 

[MWbirdLOVER70]

After allot of fighting and cursing, I was able to get it in, only to find out it will not engage the flywheel. I guess the mini starter wasn't such a good idea after all. I rebuilder close to me wants $155 with a year warranty.

See about parts store or good used unit locally I’d say

 

[gdrill]

There are specific years of starters. I think 93 comes to mind. I could be wrong and they are all the same. But I too had to clearance one.

 

[zyzzyx]

Well, if the starter won't engage the flywheel that means you got the wrong one! I wouldn't give up just yet.
get the right one, install it and Faghetabotit for twenty years! Sorry you're having fitment issues. This one
should be easy.

 

[chrger1967]

See about parts store or good used unit locally I’d say

I was hoping to put in a new one with a good warranty. This came from Autozone, its new and has a lifetime warranty. These things are a pain in the *** to take out and put in, I'm hoping to do it as least as possible. I ordered a stud kit, so if I find a mini starter that works, I can easily put it in. I found with these smaller starters, there's more room to maneuver.

 

[Don Frelier]

I was hoping to put in a new one with a good warranty. This came from Autozone, its new and has a lifetime warranty. These things are a pain in the *** to take out and put in, I'm hoping to do it as least as possible. I ordered a stud kit, so if I find a mini starter that works, I can easily put it in. I found with these smaller starters, there's more room to maneuver.

There are conflicting reports here but either way they were originally mounted with one stud and one bolt.
I like the stud on the top, bolt on the bottom.
I use a couple extensions and a 3/8" ratchet and get pretty far away from the bolts probably like 15" or so then you can rotate the ratchet with ease. Once you've done it a couple times it's really not tough.

 

[ruffcut]

I've used the Summit Racing brand mini on many big block and have no problems with them. I don't use the stud either, but 2 bolts easily. I'm thinking also it can't be the correct starter if it doesn't engage. Might be a faulty starter though. I had one from the get go that didn't engage entirely and made a terrible sound at starting, that eventually didn't engage at all. When I removed it, I found it was just contacting by the very tip of the gear. Replaced it with another and ended the problem.
That faulty piece is on the shelf to get repaired for a spare. RUFFCUT

 

[Bird 426]

The starters alignment is the snout into the bellhousing. That top hole, too large, larger than the bottom bolt hole, is just there to help hold it in place. Seems like you may have a wrong starter.

 

[gkent]

If its not engaging the flywheel, is the gear actually kicking out ?!?!

 

[davek]

Dont give up ,It makes a world of difference on the BB. Im happy with mine.

 

[70 sublime]

Working around headers ?

 

[Don Frelier]

Working around headers ?

That's a whole different PIA.

 

[chrger1967]

There are conflicting reports here but either way they were originally mounted with one stud and one bolt.
I like the stud on the top, bolt on the bottom.
I use a couple extensions and a 3/8" ratchet and get pretty far away from the bolts probably like 15" or so then you can rotate the ratchet with ease. Once you've done it a couple times it's really not tough.

I'm going to try and see how two studs would work out. With these shorter starters it should slide in no problem. And I can see why you would have the stud on top, its a pain in the *** to line up that bolt.

 

[Don Frelier]

I hang it on the upper stud then put the bolt in finger tight. Last the nut on the top ( it's a fine thread).

 

[chrger1967]

If its not engaging the flywheel, is the gear actually kicking out ?!?!

Yes, I pulled it out and tested it. It works just fine. Thing is, the starter went in fine. I did notice a small gap on the stud side, of the starter. Your talking maybe less than an 1/16 of an inch.

 

[RemCharger]

These starters that came out 15 years after the last big block was built, ( and therefore not designed for the BB) often do not fit in the curved pocket of the block. Clearancing required.
They have to bolt absolutely flat to the trans, with no interference from the block. It's not hard to make them fit properly.

 

[chrger1967]

I hang it on the upper stud then put the bolt in finger tight. Last the nut on the top ( it's a fine thread).

I was doing it the way it was setup already. I found what your saying to be right. Hanging it on the stud might make it easier to fenagle the bottom bolt in, instead of the other way around. I barely fit my fingers up there to get that damn bolt in.