Mini starter for '73 455
 

I need a good mini starter for a '73, 455, auto with stock flexplate. The Powermaster I tried did not work out. It interfered with the flexplate regardless of shimming attempts. What are you guys running?

Robbmc

I've used a Power Master on a few motors, what was the issue you were having?

i feel like i had a 9610 that didn't fit so i went with a 9510 that worked, or maybe vice versa. can't remember.

I tried a 9410 that didn't work but the 9510 did. But I had a clocking issue, not a shimming issue.

When the pinion is pulled out to measure clearance the flywheel teeth literally hit the pinion causing interference and jamming. Needs at least .020 more clearance to move the pinion away from the flywheel
However, the starter mounting block has no accommodation for moving the starter laterally.

CVR 5311 on a 74 455 auto.

I have had a Summit starter on my car forever. No troubles.

Same, I have a Summit mini starter that's been on the car for about 8 years now, and I bought it second hand. So I don't know how many miles it had on it before that.

Just here recently it had a couple of instances where it didn't spin when I turned the key the first time. Honestly it might be wiring not the starter. But its been so good to me I wouldn't hesitate to replace it with another Summit starter.

I love RObbMC. I just bought some bellhousing alignment pins from him. But we all operator on budgets and have the pick the battles where we buy the more expensive parts. Ill stick with the house brand starter that's proven its worth.

Which Powermaster did you try? We have used the Powermaster XS 9510 and it worked excellent on a 1979 W72 400 in a Trans Am, but it was a 4-Speed car. It didn't even require any shims, it came out perfect without any.

X3 on the summit mini, have one on a 10:7 467 stroker for 10+ years, no issues at all with starting power, reliability or install/fitment.

Not sure which part# it is but summit mini starters are supposed to be reboxed powermasters.

I've had great luck with the Powermaster 9510 on multiple engines. If you're talking about front to back clearance there is a ring you can use to get more distance between flywheel and pinion. I can take a pic later if you want.

Summit here also 20yrs

I like the RobbMc because you can clock it in any direction. I clocked mine so the solenoid is facing down.

the front to back clearance is good. I used the spacing ring you mentioned to get that set. My problem is the ring gear teeth is bottoming out between the pinion teeth. I don't know how to get clearance between them.

hi, summit for 8 years. set the pinion clearance and good to go

starter shims?

IMI,have had them for a LOT of years.Made in So Cal.Tom

yeah, the shims are supposed to give you the needed clearance between the ring gear teeth and the starter pinion. I used both of the supplied shims and its not enough to gain the clearance needed. I'm also going to check the flexplate to be sure it is within spec. This is a new build so the flexplate is new. Unfortunately, it's already installed in the car and bolted up to the trans so removing the flexplate will not be fun.

I've seen as many as 6 starter shims in a Pontiac with an automatic so don't quit with only 2. It's rare to use more than 2, but it's not unheard of to use more. For some reason the stick cars many times use zero shims, automatics can be all over the place.

I'm not sure if you're aware that there are 2 thicknesses of shims, 1/64th and 3/64 I've seen starters shimmed nearly 1/4".

Some buicks used a half shim on the innermost bolt to cant the inside of the starter at a slight angle away from the crankshaft centerline, this shim was glued to the starter before the starter was hoisted up to the block.

Also not out of the question that the nose was made incorrectly due to poor Q/C.

I'd stack a few more shims before pulling the flexplate.......:2cents:

x2 on adding more shims. A small section of coat hanger works great as a go/no-go gauge. GM starter shims are usually found in the Help! section of your local auto parts retailer.

IMI for over 10 years. 455 D-port with Dougs headers. No problems

When I first got my Summit starter the instructions said to tilt-cant the starter with washers. Set the clearance of the teeth at 1/8".
Works great. Never had any luck with shims.

I'm just in the process of replacing my flexplate and the Power master 9510 starter. Follow the instruction on there website. https://www.powermastermotorsports.com/starters1.html
The clearance on this starter is listed at .100-.125 and the teeth at .020-.035. https://www.powermastermotorsports.c...3_GM_Denso.pdf
Like mentioned get some extra shims or use washers to get it where it needs to be. You can always have a custom spacer made after and install it, if that's works for you.

yep, I think thats the trick.

yes, the spacers supplied just don't get it done for me. A thicker spacer or washer on one side would likely move it away from the ring gear.

I also have the IMI starters. The gear end play on them is .020-.030. Reason I'm mentioning this to you is that I believe this is what caused my last TCI flexplate ring gear damage. I had it set at like .075-.090 clearance. What happens over time is, it can destroy the ring gear on the flexplate.
https://goodvibesracing.com/Technical/IMI-108.PDF

Little video from summit showing installation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...8dsG7Ls&t=196s There saying .040 clearance. + or - .015.

Too get these clearance, there saying get a paper clip or you can use a safety pin. Measure it with your calipers to find one that has the proper thickness.

Here is what happens to the ring gear on the flexplate when the starter gear is not engaging properly.