do any of you run the S/C's on a small block with angle plug heads and a 168 tooth flywheel? i'm looking to get a set for my 71 chevelle but the ones that fit angle plug heads say that you can not use a 168 tooth flywheel, which is what i have. any idea why that would be? thanks...

m71, just guessing here, but I would assume it has to do with starter nose clearance issues. I know going to the stroker kit and 168 count flywheel put my starter nose right up against my headers (not sure of the brand) to the point that I had to grind some excess bulk off the nose to get the header flange flat against my heads. I had no clearance issues when the motor was a 355.

I would also think that a mini starter might eliminate this issue.

Just my 2 cents,

I run the 2116 super comps in my 70 with AFR 190s with a 168 tooth flexplate and stock starter. The headers are real close to the starter and I have had some hot start issues. My biggest problem was the header was close to the tranmission crossmember and it was hard to get the exhaust to clear. IMO they are a quality piece and have been leak free. I put some header wrap around the pipes near the starter and a 1 gauge wire to the starter and it starts OK now.

Sorry, I forgot to say my heads are angle plug style and I have no issues with spark plug to header clearance.

I have the 2116 S/C's and angle plugs and the 168 tooth flywheel. I have a powermaster mini starter (highly recommended) and it works fine. Plug access is great on the pass side, and OK on the drivers side. 5 and 7 are the hardest, but arent that bad with the right length extention and swivel.

thanks for the replies fellas, i'm gonna go with the S/C's. and OJ where did you get the powermaster mini starter?

I got it out of Summit. PN- PWN-9526, staggered mount 168 tooth flywheel $219.95

I'm using the 2116 headers on my 70. Perfect fit and never had to ding a tube. This is on a 355 with Canfield 195cc angle-plug heads. I was told the same thing by Summit, Jegs and even Hooker themselves. They all said that I couldn't use a stock starter and a 168 tooth flywheel. They suggested a mini-starter and a 153 tooth unit. I bought all the stuff and to my dismay...nothing worked correctly!

Finally after scratching my head for a while I tried the STOCK starter and a 168 tooth flywheel and it worked absolutely slick as a whistle. :rolleyes:

After that little episode the whole thing was fine. I ended up a with a slight hotstart issue and tried the starter wrap that secures itself with Velcro. That didn't work too well. Burned it up. I ended up needing a starter rebuild and after that I used a metal heat shield off of a V6 S-10 starter off all things. smile.gif It just snaps onto the solenoid....and I've not had a problem in 2+ years since.

Short story long.....the installation notes regarding the 2116 and starter/flywheel fitment are incorrect. I've thought about telling Hooker about it, but figured they would just ignore me. graemlins/sad.gif

Anywho, 68chevelle's comments on exhaust clearance due to the closeness of the tranny crossmember is correct. My exhaust shop bent my 3" pretty decent and I think if you shop around for a good place you'll be ok.

The only problem I've really had with them is that the ceramic coating was junk. :mad: Lasted about a year. I think they've fixed the problem since then, tho.

Also, OrangeJuiced is right on about the changing plugs thing. 5 and 7 can be bears, but once you get the trick of it down....well, I can do a plug change in about 45 min-1 hour. I'm a pretty slow hand and that includes me gapping the plugs and adding a dab of anti-seize to the plug threads. FYI, that's a MUST with aluminum heads. Good luck and tell us how it turned out!

thanks for the advice. i went ahead and ordered them monday morning, #2116's. i was wondering about the stock starter issue. i just realized that my best friend's 65 El Camino takes the same part # headers and he has 168 tooth flywheel and a stock starter. he actually tried a CSI mini-starter and it would not fit. :confused:
anyway, i'm gonna install them this weekend and get a little time on this motor before winter, then i'm gonna take the headers back off and send them to Airborne to have them coated. thanks for the help guys.
BJ Smith
1971 Chevelle Malibu
Mulsanne Blue/White Hard Top
406ci, Dart Pro 1 215's, XE284 cam, rpm air-gap, 3310 Holley, 10" Coan conv, 4.10 gears/12bolt.
owned the car since November of 1987. :D