Some starter pics. 58(55-60 style) and a 61-64 big car. Also minis from Butler and Ram Air Restorations. Note bolt pattern of 58 vs 61-64 big car. Also pics arent showing how they are clocked when installed other than where you see cut out.
I'm going to buy a mini for 61-64 vs the stock replacement 61-64 starter because I have a kicked out oil pan and want flexibility in solenoid location for clearance for headers or turbo piping. The 58 works but requires 5/16-3/8 inch pilot plate thickness and upper fastener needs to be a stud. That location makes access difficult as nut ends up under transmission flange. It also put solenoid just about touching a cheap old 3 tube header. If I lower starter on same radius I could probably make starter R+R easier but that doesnt help solenoid to header pipe issues and could make lower bolt tougher to access(especially with oil pan kick out).
The 61-64 starter bolt pattern is offset which resolves R+R issues. The upper stud ends up sufficiently under t400 flange for clearance.(55-60 there was a boss on original bell where bolt came thru bell to mount starter. Not an easy option on t400)
On 61-64 big cars the t400 adapter needs a 7/16 thick starter pilot plate(with 61-64 starter). Because a 55-60 block is 1/4" more recessed from flywheel mounting surface to bell surface the pilot plate only needs to be 3/16" thick.
Alternate starters could be made to work if you want to tackle the challenges. Pilot OD, proper pinion, engagement and disengagement clearance, solenoid location all have to be taken into consideration. Pinion in retracted position should clear the ring gear by 1/8"(or more) , when fully engaged the bendix needs to clear ring gear by @ 1/8" as well. (I base that on wear pattern of various Deloco used starters. There always seems to be @ 1/8" of gear length left un-worn.)
When starter is engaged the pinion-ring gear mesh should be .020-.030". A common thin paper clip typically measures @.024"(mic it if your going to use one.)
Many new style Delco type GM replacement starters from Auto Zone etc come with a rod for a gauge and it is used to measure clearance from starter shaft to ring gear. I think it measures .15?" ??? (I lost mine)
There are nose depth, pilot depth, as well as starter drive length differences on alternate starters as well. I'll post pics of some after this post.
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