I have tried standered starter motors in my high compession '73' 454, but they do not last. I had a parts man suggest that I try a late modle(1998 or newer 454 truck) starter, that are like the after market mini starters. Has anyone tried this and how did it work for you?

What do you mean by high compression? In the old days I ran 12to1 big blocks with fairly mild cams and had no trouble with stock type starters. You are probably not getting a full 12 volts to the starter and frying them. Make sure you have a good ground and your cables are clean and big enough to handle the current.

AND make sure it has about a 3/4" long copper spacer back by the field coils going into the solenoid b/c that's how you tell a H-D stock starter!! That means the field coils are longer then the lower performance starters for the smaller motors.

I just got through cleaning mine all up!!

pdq67

try the link below , they work great especially if you have clearance problems from headers and heat soak starting problems


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33576&item=7921731190&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

mini starters are great period for clearance problems or headers wedged against factory type starters but besides that a good cast nose starter or h-d (heavy duty)type will work fine they worked on the 12.5 to 1 ls-7 454 for the past 35 years buy a new one though not some jive pep boys been rebuilt a 100 times specials... my 2 cents hope it helps

CSI or Tilton

hey man i had the same problem with ym starter, just swapped in a new high tourque mini starter a few weeks ago and seems to be working great, i had a bad heat soak problem with mine and i think thats what killed my starter. i have 13 to compression also. go with the mini hi tourque mini starter it works great

I have been using a starter from AutoZone for a couple of years now on various projects.

It lists for a 1997 2500 2wd 454 w/exterior bolts. It weighes all of 8 lbs, never had a problem, and it has a lifetime warranty through AutoZone even if I did have a problem.