Maybe not new, but new to me: Three mounting bolt mini-starters

[BillyGman]

I just bought one of these. I like the idea of a mini-starter actually using all three mounting holes of the engine block just like the OEM starters do. I'm sure it will keep the starter more stable during operation, and having some added bulk to aluminum mounting block can't be a bad thing either, ( I once had a two bolt mounting block crack). IDK how long Power Master has had these, but I'm glad I stumbled across this on their website catalog.....

this is model 9526 and they have at least one other model that has a three hole mounting block too.....

 

[cheveslakr]

Do they send 3 bolts? AFAIK, chevy never used 3, just had 2 versions, the high torque which used the offset bolts and the standard, using the straight across bolts. Big flywheel=high torque, small flywheel=standard.

 

[cage2592]

Never saw one. My MJ406 is drilled for both styles though. If I ever need another starter, Id go for this. Thanks for posting.

 

[Nashville Cat]

Very nice

 

[BillyGman]

Do they send 3 bolts? AFAIK, chevy never used 3, just had 2 versions, the high torque which used the offset bolts and the standard, using the straight across bolts. Big flywheel=high torque, small flywheel=standard.

They only include two bolts with the starter, but I buy the ARP starter bolts anyway. Of course they only come with two bolts also, so two sets have to be purchased. It's been a long time since I used OE type starters since I'm always using big tube headers and big aftermarket oil pans, neither of which leave room for a full sized OE type starter. But I could've sworn the OE Chevy starters mounted to the blocks with THREE bolts. Anyway, here are two photos of my BBC Merlin III iron block, which you can see accepts three bolts. However with the huge oil pan I have for the 4.75" stroke crankshaft, I'm not even sure yet if I'll have enough clearance for installing the third bolt. But I bought an Allen head bolt just in case. I have the block and heads in the car right now merely to serve as an anchor to bring the car down to normal ride height while I perform some custom front suspension mods for drag racing. But when I pull the motor back out of the car, I'll test fit the new starter while I can work like a human being with the engine upside down on the engine stand instead of fighting with gravity the whole time. But most of you here aren't going to be dealing with an oil pan this huge...

 

[BillyGman]

The funny thing is that while PowerMaster only includes two mounting bolts with this three bolt starter of theirs, at least they include shims which have the three holes....