Starter Frustration!

:runaround: alright dealing with a Small block 350 automatic th350 trans -153 tooth flywheel- ive been literally running around for the past two months looking for the correct starter for this block - the one it came with has been lost in the mix due to buying a replacement and getting the incorrect one back, so now finding out which starter goes with this block has been impossible - every starter's bendix even with up to 3-5 shims has hit the fly wheel and stuck when the key was turned, brand new battery installed same results with each of the six starters i have tried- can anyone help here are the engine codes if anyone can help me out with a part #

V0527OMB
15N613158

It seems after referencing these codes i have a 1967 Small block 327 but that still hasnt helped the situation, anyone have any ideas i would be GREATFUL!

Well, the earlier small blocks DID use the 153 tooth ring gear. Have you actually counted the teeth? Or are you making an assumption? It sounds like you have the larger diameter flexplate. That would be the "168 tooth" version.

The 153 version is about 13" in diameter. The 168 is 14". I just measured both here in the shop.

TH350 was introduced in 1969, two years after the small journal small block was discontinued. TH350 and TH400 use similar flexplates, and if you have the "dual pattern" (one smaller bolt circle for the converter, one larger), you most certainly have the 168 tooth version. Switching to the later starter may solve your problem without removing the engine or trans again.

Jim

earlier or later years has nothing to do with what diameter plate they used

and they were 12.5 and 14"

12.5= straight across starter nose bolt pattern

14"= staggered bolt pattern


the trucks back then throguh 1972 used an iron three bolt starter nose

most were all 14" back then

i have yet to see a 12.5" plate on an old 60s sbc engine

was non existent or rare

until the 80's such as on the LG3 and LG4 305 engines, in caprices and camaros and such

most of these were 12.5" straight bolt starter equipped


it is real basic here, you cant confuse them

and do not use a shim

bolt the starter to the block directly

if you need a shim then something is either wrong with the start or the block, or the diameter of the wheel or plate is incorrect for the nose cone

in stock OEM factory form that is

not aftermarket

good luck

I agree that you have a bad combination here. Verify what flywheel you have and get a starter that goes with it. This will at least narrow it down for you. I've never ever had to use more than 2 shims in any GM starter installation.

In all my stick shift Chevys, I use the cast iron truck bellhousing and truck starter, which makes things a lot simpler for me!

Bob

I know for a fact i have the 153 tooth fly wheel because the later starters i used, having the staggared bolt pattern where a ful inch and a half a way not even in the ball park of having the bendix catch the fly wheel -i just cant understand what else could go wrong and make the bendix stick to the fly wheel - i was told that almost any GM starter shoudl work for my application as long as it has a straight bolt pattern

I know for a fact i have the 153 tooth fly wheel because the later starters i used, having the staggared bolt pattern where a ful inch and a half a way not even in the ball park of having the bendix catch the fly wheel -i just cant understand what else could go wrong and make the bendix stick to the fly wheel - i was told that almost any GM starter shoudl work for my application as long as it has a straight bolt pattern

Get a starter for a 1988 Caprice with a 350. It will be the correct one for the 153 tooth wheel.

hey, thankyou- im not trying to question your knowledge but can you give me some insight on how you came up with that conclusion? cause thats just amazing if this works

hey, thankyou- im not trying to question your knowledge but can you give me some insight on how you came up with that conclusion? cause thats just amazing if this works

Yes I know it's been a month, but that's because somehow I missed it.

It's simple, really - a 1988 Caprice 350 has a 153 tooth flexplate.