I wasn't sure where to post this. I've been working on the Velle almost everynight in hope of dropping the engine this weekend. I have a 68 that was a 327. I just built a 454(8.5:1 CR Voodoo Cam LUN-60203LK) with an M-21. Can I use a stock starter for a 68 BB?
Thanks
Dan

stock BB starter, yes. to verify which starter you need, you need to count the number of teeth on the flexplate. 153 or 168?

oops. flywheel not flexplate

As mentioned, the starter you use is determined by WHICH flywheel you have. NORMALLY, all BBs use the larger, 14in diameter 168 tooth flywheel. Also, because of the added external weight that is on 454 flywheels, it ONLY comes in a 168 tooth version (for the 454 that is). Is that what you have? If so, then the only stock starter which will work for you is one which has a CAST IRON starter nose with the staggered bolt pattern. Also, it needs to be the hi-torque version. A hight torque starter can quickly be identified by looking at the connection between the bottom terminal of the starter solenoid and the flat brass connector which comes up through the starter case. There SHOULD be about a 3/4in spacer between the lower solenoid terminal and that flat brass connector. If the flat connector comes up through the starter case and is connected right up against the lower solenoid terminal, then it is a regular torque starter.

why is the cast iron nose starter the only one that will work?
if it's the bellhousing clearance thing- then a late model permanent magnet starter will also work. this is the way i'd go- it is smaller and has plenty of power. up front cost is kind of high, but it's no more than an aftermarket mini starter.

why is the cast iron nose starter the only one that will work?
if it's the bellhousing clearance thing- then a late model permanent magnet starter will also work. this is the way i'd go- it is smaller and has plenty of power. up front cost is kind of high, but it's no more than an aftermarket mini starter.

Derrik,
The reason is because he specifically asked about a STOCK starter. Thus, that is the only STOCK starter that will work.
It is true that OTHER starters will work, but if someone desires to use a stock starter, with the 168 tooth flywheel, and a stock GM type bell housing (621 style), the only starter nose that will fit into the starter bulge of the 621 type bell housing is the cast iron nose with a staggered bolt pattern.
The alum starter nose with a staggered bolt pattern, is too big to fit into a 621 type bell housing bulge. Thus, the alum staggered bolt pattern starter nose only fits an auto tranny with the 14in, 168 tooth flexplate.
The cast iron, staggered bolt pattern starter nose can be used with EITHER auto or manual trannys. Again, this applies to a stock starter, not later model small or aftermarket starters.

Yes its a 454 with a new 168 tooth flywheel. My bell-housing is a 621. Here are some pics of the starter I've been looking at. I believe this is the starter DZauto mentioned. Is this OK or should I look at a different starter?
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/Starter_bolt_patern.JPG
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/Starter.JPG

well, i know for a fact that a STOCK late model permanent magnet starter fits a big flywheel with a stock bellhousing. i used that very thing on a 67 Chevelle i put a 454 in a couple of years ago. the stock old style big starter didn't fit- but a permanent magnet starter like they put on the newer trucks and what not since the early 90's did fit.
i don't know what the casting #was on the bellhousing, but this was what i used to get it together. and it had a lot of room around the Hooker Super Comp headers i used.
http://partimages2.genpt.com/partimages/87266.jpg
http://partimages2.genpt.com/partimages/87265.jpg
if you shop around- these starters can be found in the $100 range- which as i said before is more than a regular old starter, but inline with an aftermarket mini starter.

Derrick,
What's the part number or where can a guy get that starter?

any place that sells car parts can get it. i got those pics from the NAPA website.
just say it's for a 98 Chev 3/4 ton with a 454. they might want to sell you the big old style starter, but you will have the option of getting the "permanent magnet" starter. there might be a core charge, too, which will drive the price up.
if you need one for a small flywheel, get one for a 94 Caprice with the LT1.