[Don 79 TA]

I've had the IMI's and my experience, along with some others i know (various makes too) were you have to be careful of the gap.... not good/right you WILL eat the teeth
i've never had one of those IMI starters last long, even the higher end one.
the power master i have now is really nice. it sounds like it cranks slower, but stronger if you get my point. this is the longest lasting mini starter i have had.
i did feel the IMI was smaller size and so much easier for install.
powermaster has a few variants too, so check them out
but again, any starter you have to watch the clearances

[65madgoat]

A follow up on my IMI starter -- I was not happy with where it sat --- so like Old Man Taylor had done with his starter by IMI 23 years ago, the middle body is being milled by IMI 75 thou to get me where it needs to really be.

Some need it milled on top due to align boring over the years - and Butler now does that and sells a milled version. But my issue was the starter was too far away at rest for my liking from the ring gear, and about 65% or so at engagement. I have heard from IMI you want at least 75%, then one guy there said over 50% and you are fine.

With respect to the depth away, at first IMI was like you are "fine", then said it should be within spec in their instructions, then said you are "fine" again until I finally got them to mill the center body so it sits closer to the ring gear.

Should have the milled piece from IMI by Friday. Never got this technical with their starters before, but PTSD kicked in after reading instructions from them (a first for me;-) and watching Fast Monty's recent vid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr1EbZojGn8

[Dragncar]

You do not have to do any of that. Tilt it with washers and you can put the starter anywhere you want it to be. 1/8" at the crotch of the teeth and you are fine.

[65madgoat]

Yeah IMI was alright with distance but was something they have done before so figured getting a tad closer would be more within spec.

I was told by them Butler likes to see 100 though away give or take 50 thou. I'll be around 100 thou out now with mid body being shimmed 75 thou.

The starter does not need any shims at the block. Engaged, the teeth are ideal mesh.

[Goatracer1]

Sent RobbMc pictures of my oil pan and starter and they didn't think theirs would fit. I went with the IMI 1.9 hp starter Ames sells. The last IMI 1.4 hp lasted 26 years so it should work.

[65madgoat]

Well I got the 75 thou milled mid mount part of the IMI starter swapped on and the starter now sits absolutely perfectly -- and when engaged is ideal!

I recommend IMI do that with all starters and then that 75 thou round shim they provide could be used to move the pinion AWAY from the ring gear as needed.

And then recall they have been milling the block mounting pad that have been align bored. Butler sells that version if your block needs it.

I am just stoked to have the starter right where it should be now.

[jamaca85]

JEGS brand mini starters are great . had one on my 455 for 10 years still works great