36 replies to this topic

[Uncle Chop Chop]

How many teeth for starter motor? I wouldn't swap any of my teeth for a car part.

[ben23]

if the starter is turning over fine I wouldnt get a new one you will probably just need some shims between the starter and the block.

[ben23]

oh so it has excessive throwout, and yes my bad did read that it had a broken tooth but forgot.

[Bigfella237]

Is there a difference in the starter mounting position on the VN block compared to an earlier Trimatic block? I thought they were more or less the same casting?

 

If the VN ring gear is set further back than on the Trimatic flex plate, is the difference in the shape of the flex plate or is the crank snout longer? VN onward have a full circle rear main seal don't they?

 

If the only difference is the flex plate itself, then just use an early model starter motor.

[UCgazman]

I've got an early 253 starter on the 304 in the UC, bolted up identical and works fine. Maybe his starter just had a dodgy gear?

[UCgazman]

Mine sounds normal,but the smaller reduction starters do have a different sound. Kinda more high pitched and whiney I reckon...

[Bigfella237]

~ there was a different starter for trimatics with a different nose cone of approxiametly 7mm. but no one else had heard of this. ~

 

Different from what?

 

I've done more V8 Trimatic to M20/M21 conversions than I could count and I've always used the same starter for both, I've also bought new starters or had them reco'd or exchanged and nobody has ever asked me if it was to suit auto or manual?

 

However it wouldn't surprise me if a VN starter is different to the earlier (Trimatic) one, most of the modern stuff is the gear-reduction type because they draw less current.

 

Which one do you have now?

[UCgazman]

Where's the difference Daz? I've got a big ole bosch starter on a vp 5lt, stock flex plate & th700, haven't had any issues. I only fitted it because that's what I had kicking around and I've always been told the 304 & 308 blocks are essentially the same...

[rexy]

I too run the original Torana starter motor on my VT block and it works just fine.

[mick_in_oz]

I'm aware of minor differences between starters, but never seen or heard of anyone having trouble interchanging between early and late styles and the later gear reduction starters always as a direct bolt in.

 

Two things that come to mind, firstly the aftermarket flexplate, my money is here, heard and seen way to many troubles with them to ever consider using one, out of round, wrong offset or position, not true, etc.

 

Secondly, what bolts are you using? Do they have the knurled shank? Could it simply be the wrong bolts not positioning the starter correctly?

 

The comment about the starter having too much engagement (front to rear) makes me go for the flexplate.

 

When you go to get another starter take a good steel ruler or vernier with you and get the parts guy to get both early and late starters off the shelf and try to measure any differences.