My initial thoughts of my car running TOO hot are starting to fade. I do plan on upgrading the cooling system, but I think I can live with 200-210* at the water neck for a short while.

Hi Torque starters - anyone have any good, bad, ugly stories?

Jeg's sells several models and some with their name on them. I'll probably wind up buying a hi-torque instead of an OEM style as I tend to do things with too much overkill. I'd like to hear your opinions on them if you have them.

Starter bolt patterns - I'm pretty sure my 400 has the offset pattern starter on it now. I'm not going to purchase a starter until I know for sure, but don't all small blocks have the dual pattern holes? I like the offset pattern as it counteracts the flexing motion of the starter, but geez the offset hi-torques are expensive compared to the straight across models.

Are all small blocks dual pattern or is it hit and miss?

I think some sbc's are straight.

I have a Powermaster XS torque on my 350, costed over $200 thru Summit. It's a staggered bolt pattern and is good up to 18:1 c.r. and it clears everything. The engine is in my S-10 and anyone with a sbc in an S-10 knows how cramped things can get in there. ;)

i got a marine mini big block starter for $160 at local auto electrical store and it weighs 5 lbs and cranks like crazy!! stagered bolts tiny and clears headers no probs!! have a 10.5 to 1 383 small block graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Better check your block. My 400 has ONLY the staggered pattern, the inner hole for the "straight across" mount was never drilled.

I'm told that's not uncommon with 400s. Apparently it can be drilled and tapped, but I don't plan to do that until the engine is sitting on a stand again. And I hope that's a long time from now.

I looked at the block last night as I re-wired my current starter and it is offset only.

Now that I've re-wired it, it doesn't have a problem starting anymore. It's still grunt-grunt-grunt as it starts, but the heat no longer makes it worse. I think I'll wait until the starter dies before I replace it with a hi-torque unit.

Originally posted by Team140:
Hi Torque starters - anyone have any good, bad, ugly stories?
Yeah. I bought one, but dropped it on the cement between the work bench and the car. Landed on the battery post and shattered the solenoid cap. go team... graemlins/hurray.gif

I use a regular GM starter, and a REALLY good battery! Been going strong for 13k miles on a modest compression Big block.

I use a Tilton..IMHO None Better..

Tom

I'm using a stock GM starter just like MIkey :D

Get an ACDelco hi-torque starter. Came stock on mid-90's GM trucks (and other applications). Can find them all over eBay for around $100 (make sure it is an ACDelco and not an import). Or about $150 from the local parts store. I have one on my 11:1 355 in my vega. Turns over REALLY nice, and actually is smaller than two other aftermarket "mini" starters that I had bought for it.

Brian

Just installed my powermaster (I think model is 9500) Man this thing is so tiny and light, I installed it with the headers on and the 454 sitting in the engine bay. Havent turned it over yet though, maybe this weekend.