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Who's using a mini starter?

17K views 33 replies 29 participants last post by  LJM 
#1 ·
Ive been looking at the high torque mini starter by GM, but Im not sure if the straight bolt pattern will work for my big block. Arent they staggered?

"12361146 - Starter, Gear Reduction 168 or 153 Tooth Non-Production Style, BRAND NEW. No core charge. This high performance gear reduction is designed for 1958-96 Chevrolet V8 and all V6 90° engines (200, 229, and 4.3L). Its compact starter delivers plenty of torque and it is a small package which offers increased clearance for extended oil pans and headers exhaust systems. This lightweight (10.5 pound) and powerful (1.2 kilowatt output) starter relies on a 3.75:1 gear reduction to spin a high-compression engine. This mini starter has a red Chevrolet Bow Tie logo and a dual bolt pattern for 12 3/4” (153 tooth) and 14” (168 tooth) flywheel. Mounting bolts and shims, gaskets and electrical connectors are included."
Technical Notes: This unit can be rotated to clear most exhaust systems. This starter is not recommended for competition


I know there are three threaded holes by the starter pad but still not sure if they would work.

I'll have a 10.5-1 489, will this crank it?

Any help would be great.
 
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#3 ·
webfoot said:
I have one I got off ebay, it had the staggered bolt pattern for a 168 tooth flywheel. Man does it make my 10.5:1 383 sing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...064128808QQcategoryZ33576QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I have been using this PM300 starter for a month now with excellent results. Nice and smooth and quiet . 1 yr. warranty. Got tired of eating up stock type starters, so for the price, I thought I would try this starter after being referred by Bob West..Plenty of room from my Hooker headers. Also added a starter heat blanket, just because..
 
#4 ·
I use a Powermaster XS torque(the one that looks like a toyota starter) for my SBC. The price is good and hasn't skipped a beat in over 5 years. I now use them on every car because it fits nice and I don't get as beat up as trying to put that heavy OEM starter up.
 
#5 ·
Can't argue with the price on that PMGR PM300. I found a company on eBay last year out of Texas that I have since bought a mini starter and two 135amp alternators (1 7122 case ext reg, 1 7127 case int reg). Check out their website, they offer alot of different sh!t.

www.4alterstart,com
 
#7 ·
Its hard to beat those prices from www.dbelectrical.com visit his ebay site. You can buy two for the price of one of anyone elses and his 1 year warranty is second to none, no questions asked, he actually sent me a starter before I had mine returned, it quit engaging the flywheel almost a year to the date after installing on the car, he sent me a new one, I then packaged the old one in the box he sent and sent it back.
 
#8 ·
I just installed a CVR mini starter (sold in Jegs Catalog) and it works extremely well on my 454 with almost 13:1 compression.

My OEM starter used the staggered bolt holes, but the new starter is straight across...it doesn't make a difference unless you've got a bolt broken off in one of the holes or the threads are stripped. That starter will work for either size flexplate (notice the four holes on the mounting block)

I used to laugh at guys who "wasted" their money on mini starters...but now I wish I'd had them on all my vehicles.
 
#26 ·
I had a mini with the cast nose for the staggered bolt patten on my 400 sb for 2 years and used it again on the 505 when I installed it in the car. About the 5th time I went to start the 505 I had the timing too high and it kicked back and broke the starter right off the engine. Thats a sick feeling when you go to start your new motor and hear parts landing on the garage floor:eek:.

I replaced it with a billet mount base straight patten mini and it has worked great for 2 years now. Like several others have already said, I wont ever buy another "big" starter. I love how light they are and how much space it frees up next to the headers.
 
#12 ·
Hello , I have been using one for a couple of years and would suggest you get one to match the horsepower, compression of your engine. Believe me It makes a difference. I had to use difference ones to match compression. They do work great and they take out the shimming problem. Jim B
 
#13 ·
opps. I didn't read the last entry . yes ,I have had that problem and it is in your timing Make sure your timing is correct. I had a lot of problems at first. just set it on tdc and adjust it after you start. Retard usuallyJim B
 
#14 ·
OK I checked out that PM300. Its weighs 3lbs less (7.5lbs) than the one I was looking at and is good up to 16:1 comp., low price and good warranty.

It looks big though, anyone having clearance problems w/ headers.

I originally did a search here and dont know how I missed that PM300.

Thanks for the recommendation guys and the link Bob, I think Ive made up my mind.
 
#15 ·
I'm running a Delco Permanent Magnet starter like Webfoot posted about. I'm running this on a fairly hot 402cu with no problems at all. It spins it with no problems at all. I purchased it from ebay and it is brand new, but you can also get the same thing by looking at the autoparts store for a starter off of a 1994-2001 Chevy/GMC truck. Permanent magnet starters are absolutely the way to go.
 
#16 ·
elcamino72 said:
I'm running a Delco Permanent Magnet starter like Webfoot posted about. I'm running this on a fairly hot 402cu with no problems at all. It spins it with no problems at all. I purchased it from ebay and it is brand new, but you can also get the same thing by looking at the autoparts store for a starter off of a 1994-2001 Chevy/GMC truck. Permanent magnet starters are absolutely the way to go.

Yep I too use this type on my 168 tooth flywheel ....10:3 -1 BB works great , I liked the idea I bot it local so if a problem can get fix or exchange fast.......but that e-bay deal is awesome and sounds like they have excellent service you can't go wrong at that price
 
#18 ·
hamrdown said:
OK I checked out that PM300. Its weighs 3lbs less (7.5lbs) than the one I was looking at and is good up to 16:1 comp., low price and good warranty.

It looks big though, anyone having clearance problems w/ headers.

I originally did a search here and dont know how I missed that PM300.

Thanks for the recommendation guys and the link Bob, I think Ive made up my mind.
Its SMALL, as in mini. Has staggered bolting and the bolts are included, because the stock bolts are too long...
 
#19 ·
Bob West said:
Its hard to beat those prices from www.dbelectrical.com visit his ebay site. You can buy two for the price of one of anyone elses and his 1 year warranty is second to none, no questions asked, he actually sent me a starter before I had mine returned, it quit engaging the flywheel almost a year to the date after installing on the car, he sent me a new one, I then packaged the old one in the box he sent and sent it back.
DB is about 2 miles from my house and they seem to be a bunch of good guys. They do one heck of a business out of that shop.
 
#21 ·
I found that gm light weight gear reductions starters fit work great and an added bonus is you can buy them at a store if your mini start craps out. They fit great with my hooker headers on my 64.

link for info about starters.

http://www.geocities.com/diels12000/Starters.html
 
#24 ·
If you're looking for genuine AC Delco, this GM ministarter looks to be the same design as the PM300 that DB sells.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...hZ019QQitemZ8071825491QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Only fits big flywheel/flexplate. Has the staggered bolt pattern. It's very compact, very light, and plenty of power. Have never had a problem with it...always cranks the engine over easy, even when hot. These things are all over eBay, usually going for 90-100 bucks or so. New from GM PartsDirect they want $209. GM part# 9000852.
 
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