still trying to wrangle all my 5-speed parts together. I've been told i need to use a cast iron starter nose w/ a staggard bolt pattern. Where can i obtain one of these. I have not been able to find a starter rebuilding shop that is close to me. I wouldn't think this would be an over the counter type replacement part. Any ideas? Thanks-Eric

you can buy the starter from autozone for around $35. but i would suggest you get a mini starter. high torque is the way to go .no hot starts and amazing how somthing so much smaller can do such a better job.

Only if you have the big 11" c/pp/f-w and bellhousing, otherwise the smaller 10.4" stuff will do fine if you already have all of it?

pdq67

i plan on goin w/ the 11in setup. Got the big bellhousing(its not the truck belhousing:D ), and the 168T flywheel. I have heard you can just replace the nose on the existing starter(i already have a high torque starter). I just didn't know where i could obtain just the nose itself

The old iron nose starters are real hard to find. The rest of the starter is the same as any other 168 tooth starter. Personally I would find a mini that would work.

ok, any good ideas for a mini starter. Since the high torque starter on my TH350 prob won't work ,any suggestions? I'm not looking to spend an arm and a leg either

Here is the starter I've been thinking of getting for my 406 SB.
http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/698/products/8321/Heavy-Duty-GM-Performance-Reman-Starter.htm
This is the rebuilt version of the gear reduction starter that has the staggered bolt pattern.An interesting thing happens when you put that part # into the GM parts direct site,drastic price drop.The only problem is I want to be sure of the application before I order from them.
If you decide you want a cast iron nose starter and can't find one on the west coast I have one that needs to be rebuilt,just send a PM.

Here is a photo of one in case you didn't know what they look like. A rebuilt starter for a big block 4 speed Chevelle from the chain stores should have one of these in the box.

http://users.triconet.org/philipv/iron%20nose.jpg

The starter I'm talking about looks like this http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/698/products/1286/Light-Weight-GM-Performance-Starter.htm
They just don't show a photo of the rebuilt version of this starter on any of the sites.Probably half the weight of the cast iron starter.Incidently starters just like this are OE on late model 4.3L v-6 and 5.7L v-8's.Staggered bolt pattern and all.The sd website says it will fit the 400 flywheel I'm using.