If you choose to use a mini starter, don't just assume that any starter bolts that are listed for your car will be ok to use, even if they're the proper length(s). Remember this is an aftermarket part you're dealing with, and I can tell you that the hole size diameter in the aluminum mounting blocks of these starters are going to vary as much as .020" or even up to .040" from one starter to the next. Remember that besides being made overseas, most of them or all, are machined with metric tooling. And the shank diameters of the aftermarket mounting bolts also vary. So "Why does that matter?" you ask? It matters if you buy and use starter bolts which just happen to have an outside diameter on the shank that's considerably smaller than the inside diameter measurement of the holes on the mounting block of your starter are. If that is the case, guess what. Your mini-starter over time will begin to move around from side to side every time you turn the ignition key to fire up your V8 engine. And it can begin to grind, and/or beat up the teeth.
On my mini-starter, I ended up buying four different brands of starter bolts, and using my cheapo $20 dial calipers to take measurements of each set of bolts as well as the mounting block holes of the starter. Gues what I found. All four sets of the starter bolts I bought had different diameters on their knurled shanks, which varied as much as .040" despite all four sets being listed and sold for a 1970 Chevelle. Go figure. I'm certain that the aluminum mounting block holes on these aftermarket mini-starters will also vary in size. In my case, I ended up choosing the set of starter bolts which have shanks that have an O.D. measurement of merely .005" smaller than the I.D. measurement of the mounting block holes on the starter have. I would highly suggest that you don't overlook this.
On my mini-starter, I ended up buying four different brands of starter bolts, and using my cheapo $20 dial calipers to take measurements of each set of bolts as well as the mounting block holes of the starter. Gues what I found. All four sets of the starter bolts I bought had different diameters on their knurled shanks, which varied as much as .040" despite all four sets being listed and sold for a 1970 Chevelle. Go figure. I'm certain that the aluminum mounting block holes on these aftermarket mini-starters will also vary in size. In my case, I ended up choosing the set of starter bolts which have shanks that have an O.D. measurement of merely .005" smaller than the I.D. measurement of the mounting block holes on the starter have. I would highly suggest that you don't overlook this.
