Mini Starter Machining

mikedrini

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Good Morning C Body Brethren,

I finally got my 440 into Black Betty and mated to my 727 pushbutton, but the mini torque starter I have doesn't fit naturally as it did with the 383. I have only been able to find 1 or 2 different mentions of this via Google where some machining was required to the half moon area of either the block or the starter.

I tried the original starter as well, but it has the same clearance problem as the mini starter does. Before I go machining my block or either starter, I wanted to see if anyone else had this issue and if so, how they remedied it.

Thanks as always gentlemen.

Mike
 
What I suggest is this, make a template of the back of your engine and see how this fits to the new one. Them make sure you do not have the offset dowels in the back of your transmission before you do any machining.
 
Bought first mini starter from Mancini Racing (grossly overpriced in my opinion) and there was interference issues with the block because the mounting holes weren't to spec. aka shitty machining and zero QC.
Replaced it with the cheapest mini starter I could find on eBay and it fit PERFECTLY!
Wtf...
 
Go to any parts jobber,order an el cheapo starter for a 1992 Dakota with 5.2L magnum.
Should fit right in there.
You may have to cut the plastic between the battery cable and tiny wire that bolts to the starter.
I have two cars with mini starters and no machining
 
Go to any parts jobber,order an el cheapo starter for a 1992 Dakota with 5.2L magnum.
Should fit right in there.
You may have to cut the plastic between the battery cable and tiny wire that bolts to the starter.
I have two cars with mini starters and no machining

I saw that a couple of guys did this in the posts I was able to find and be damned if those starters don't look exactly like the Summit mini torque starter I bought. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the starter you mentioned from a Dakota:

17466N_F1NL__ra_p.jpg


Here is the one I currently have from Summit:

sum-820337_sn_ml.jpg


Worth a gamble/return in your estimation? Thanks again all for the help.

Mike
 
I buy OEM replacement units, not the fancy ones. I had to grind the half moon a bunch to fit my a500 even though a stock starter had fit in there fine. The other 2 cars I have minis on did not take the grinding - who knows. I didn't sweat it, just grind away on the starter case until it fits smoothly with no binding.
 
I recommend anybody who buys a new foreign sourced mini-starter to hog out the mounting holes a few thou if it doesn't fit.
Just leave no evidence if you still have to return it... :lol:
 
Worth a gamble/return in your estimation?
If you can return it if it does not fit you have nothing to lose,or as mentioned grind away on the starter.
I rather not grind the block since that is more of a permanent butcher job vs starter.
 
I saw that a couple of guys did this in the posts I was able to find and be damned if those starters don't look exactly like the Summit mini torque starter I bought. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the starter you mentioned from a Dakota:

View attachment 392325

Here is the one I currently have from Summit:

sum-820337_sn_ml.jpg


Worth a gamble/return in your estimation? Thanks again all for the help.

Mike
And this is the piece you need to remove to allow a space between the positive post and the block.

starter.jpg
 
Will
The 92 Dakota Starter will work on my 70 383 with the conversion piece mentioned?
 
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That's a nifty little piece, but I've never needed one to make it work, even with headers. I just take the oem extra mount thing off and use what's native to the starter.
 
The mini starter terminals are on the side of the starter. You can unbolt the OE terminal thingie and discard. You can connect the cables and then bolt the starter in and you are golden.
The conversion terminals offered just let you install the starter without connecting the cables first. With the terminal extensions on, you will be able to connect the cables after the starter is in.
 
Just to close out the thread that I started. I was able to get my Summit Mini Pro Torque Starter install to the 440/727 after some "finagling". It took some swearin, plenty of conversations with myself, begin drinking copious amounts of Coors Delights/Corona at 8am (I am not joking and it was my birthday so I don't wanna hear it), fiddling with a socket extension, among other things, but I got it. As previous posts noted, I did have to shave a bit off the half moon area and work it back and forth until it fit juuuust right. Thanks for the help as always guys.
 
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