[gb64]

Does anyone know if a different starter is used on a 4-speed car than was used on an automatic? '64 Catalina,389, 4-speed is what I'm working on.

[Stuart]

They should be the same for either transmission.

[pfilean]

Without looking at the parts book for confirmation (because it's on the other computer). I thought that as 64 was the switch over year that had blocks drilled for block mounted starter, that the MT cars got the block mounted starter. However as the big cars still used the same HM trans as used in 61-63 (both Slim Jim and Super HM) the starter was still bell housing mounted. A body cars with AT may be the block mounted starter starting in 64. But I would need to look at the parts book to confirm that.

[gb64]

The starter I'm using is from a '64 Catalina, the leading end of the drive gear sticks out 1" past the mounting flange of the starter whereas the leading edge of the flywheel is recessed 3/4" in from the mounting surface of the bell housing, so the starter gear is already into the flywheel by 1/4" before the starter is even engaged. It's the correct starter, correct bell housing, so, the only thing I can think of is maybe I have the wrong flywheel. Do flywheels have different offsets/backspacing? Does anyone have a part# for a flywheel for '64 Catalina 2+2 389 4-speed car.

[tom s]

The flywheel for a block mounted starter and a bell mounted starter are diff.If you have a block that is drilled for the block mounted starter you could use it if you have the correct flywheel.You should also use the correct bellhousing which is alu. but might get by with the iron one.Tom

[pfilean]

Here is a 1966 Parts book listing for starters. Look like for 63 P8 they were the same regardless of transmission. Difference is in compression ratio hence load on the starter. The Tempest is different for all transmissions so I would guess that all 64s were block mounted. If on your 63 someone put in an engine from a 64 or later Tempest with the Tempest flywheel you could have a starter problem.

[pfilean]

Just for comparison here are the flywheel numbers.

[tom s]

64 big cars came with a iron bell and a bell mounted starter.64 tempest(GTO) came with a alu bell and used a block mounted starter.As you are learning the ring gear is in a diff location between the two.You really want to stay with the iron bell,correct flywheel and correct starter as the alu tempest bell does not have the clutch Z bar stud in the correct location for the big cars.Tom

[63gpman]

if you have everything together already, the easy way would be to try a 65 on up Pontiac block mounted starter to see if all aligns correctly as long as your block is drilled for up bolt starter.

[gb64]

Block is not drilled for starter. Starter is Bell housing mounted. Bell housing Is cast iron. Engine is date coded F 3 3.

[tom s]

You need to get the proper flywheel then.Tom