So I found I had a bad mini starter that probably went south due to main body being 1/16" away from the header tube. I replaced it with a Remy mini starter and bolted it up in same position as the previous one. It also is 1/16" from the headers. Being new to mini starters, I didn't know they could rotate among the three bolt holes to give header clearance -- I'd left it as it came in the middle hole. But when I spoke to the parts store that sold me the starter, they said that because my block had a staggered bolt pattern, that I would not be able to change the position to the side hole. They said that only straight pattern starters can rotate, not the staggered.

Are they right? I'm usually hesitant to take advice from parts store clerks, but this guy was adamant. I need to take the heat off this new starter or it's also going to burn up, but before I remove it, I want to make sure it's adjustable.

PowerMaster makes a mini high torque starter with a staggered bolt hole pattern that can be rotated, either toward the block or toward the headers.

Problem solved. Starter flipped 180 degrees. Extended the wire to the solenoid. Works great now.

Problem solved. Starter flipped 180 degrees. Extended the wire to the solenoid. Works great now.

Great idea:hurray: