My car is still in storage and I can't get to it for another week or two.
I have an opportunity to pick up a mini high torque starter for a "screaming" deal, but it's got the straight across bolt pattern and I have a suspicion my 396 is the staggered bolt pattern.
Anybody know definitively what pattern it would be ? Does it have the extra threaded hole to take either bolt pattern ?
Not big block but related. i ran a 400 small block in a 65 parisienne which only had the staggered bolt holes. Bought a mini starter (btw never seen one with staggered holes, but hey, this is australia, by no means have access to everything.)
carefully aligned, drilled and tapped the block to accept the inline bolt pattern mini starter. Never had a starting problem again, never any meshing issues, and this was done lying on my back with the car jacked up. It can be done although it did have the extra meat for a bolthole, just never factory drilled.
love my reduction starters.
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cutting a roof off a four door is NOT a convertible.....
65 Parisienne convertible.one of 49 built for RHD export market,402BBC, T400, 2500 stally, posi rear, upgraded brakes with front discs, FUEL FAST efi custom built by me.
I installed a mini starter on my ZZ4 350 that has aligned bolt mounting capability for either 168 or 153 tooth flywheels. I'm fairly certain that big block starter configuration is the same as small block as long as your 396 has the three holes in the casting. Or as mentioned you can make it that way!
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72 Nova SS, 66 Beaumont Sport Deluxe, 09 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe
If so, I would just rebuild your original. They are very good starters, and actually quite easy to tear down to replace bushings, solenoid, drive and brushes. Is your's not in good shape, or are you just doing some preventative maintenance?
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
For my 454 cars, I've found proper part # starters and had them rebuilt at a local shop. The rebuilt included a high-temp solenoid on them. They've been problem free.
It seems as though we have had this discussion many, many times in the past... Here is the thread with very useful info on the starters I would suggest..... You can't beat the buy on these especially the #1910A...
Haven't powered it up yet but it is a nice compact unit that has four mounting holes to move in for 153 and out for 168, easy to align and gives me tons of room from the header. Hope it works as good as it looks!
I've had heating issues with starters on big blocks in the past. This thing will take care of that problem.
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72 Nova SS, 66 Beaumont Sport Deluxe, 09 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe