Thread: chevy sb starters

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Can I get some answers on starters?
What is the difference between a 168 and 153 tooth starter?
Can they be intechanged?
Must I use knurled bolts to mount?
What is the clearence to be and where measured?
I have a 168 tooth flexplate on my 86 sbc can I use a stsrter from the late 60's?
It bolts in OK but jams. I that because the teeth are wrong or needs proper bolts and shimming?
Thanx in advance

I use a paperclip between the gears to set mine, about .030 to.040, just shim the starter till you get the clearance. The only difference I know of in the starters is the holes have different offsets to compensate for diameter differences in the 153 and the 168 flywheels.

Most Chevy blocks have two bolt patterns under the block so you can mount the starter close for the 153 and far out for the 168. Yes, you MUST use the knurled bolts, because the starter can kick sideways under torque and break something like the block. Those bolts are special and must be used, and torqued tight.

Sounds like you need to add some shims to gain some clearance, as jmink said, a paperclip is about the right size to slide between the engaged gears to check for proper clearance.

Don