I am getting ready to fire up my 430 hp, 9.5:1cr 454ci. I have the starter from my previsous small block, but it was having a little trouble with a sticking solenoid previsouly is left to sit too long. So at bare minimum I was going to have it looked at and rebuilt first. But I have no experience with big blocks and am wondering if I should try something different rather than putting money into this one. (the small block started will work right???) I don't want anything overkill, I just want it to work everythime without fail. But being new to big blocks I'm not sure if the stock starteds are prone to heat soak, headder fitment problems (Hedman Elite 1.75" Primaries), have enough cranking torque or any other problems I may not have thought of.

So my question is what should I do: rebuild stock small block starter, buy remanufactured one, buy a mini-stater, a high torque starter, etc... ???

thanks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Chevy-305-350-454-Mini-Racing-PMGR-Starter-HT-PM300_W0QQitemZ130012462127QQihZ003QQcategoryZ3357 6QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This one came highly recommended to me by some guys here and I purchased it through ebay from db electrical.
Very good guys to work with if you have troubles. Mine was sent to the wrong address, when I called and told them what happened they sent another one out the same day.
I havent tried it yet but it does have a 1 yr warranty and only weighs 7lbs.

for that engine you should be fine with a regular Chevy high torque starter. if it needs to be rebuilt take it to a shop if you have access to one that still does that. They can tell you whether it's a HT version or not.

The stock small block starter will only fit if the small block had a 168 tooth flywheel. If so, the starter will have an offset bolt pattern.

Since your stock starter needs work anyway (and may not fit), I would suggest a mini starter because they are lighter, gear reduced, give more header clearance and turn the engine over better, especially when the engine is hot.

This starter is one of the smallest and the solenoid can be rotated to ANY position by simply loosening two screws:

http://www.robbmcperformance.com/products/starter_home.html
http://www.robbmcperformance.com/products/chevy_starter.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Chevy-305-350-454-Mini-Racing-PMGR-Starter-HT-PM300_W0QQitemZ130012462127QQihZ003QQcategoryZ3357 6QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This one came highly recommended to me by some guys here and I purchased it through ebay from db electrical.
Very good guys to work with if you have troubles. Mine was sent to the wrong address, when I called and told them what happened they sent another one out the same day.
I havent tried it yet but it does have a 1 yr warranty and only weighs 7lbs.
db electric is awsome to work with! i bought one of their mini-starters (the rotatable kind) and had problems getting it shimmed right using the shims they provides with it. they shipped me two more packs of shims for free,and then when it still wouldn't work,they refunded my money. on a used electrical part! the prob was that the bendix gear it didn't draw back far enough to let the flexplate "flex" under load. the ring gear was hitting the starter gear when i'd get on it hard. this was one like Robmc is talking about.i wound up getting a AC Delco mini-starter like Hamrdown is showing. this is one of the best parts i've EVER put on my car. permanate magnet,gear reduction,small,light,ect...love it. i got mine off a 98 Vortec 454 truck at the junk yard (168 tooth flywheel) if you need one for a 153 tooth,get one for a V-6 mini van or blazer (4.3 L) or hit the dealer. bolted right in,same wiring and all. plus it's a Delco part!