Starter - Looking for Quality

Hi 4x4 Team, I am finishing my suburban build and I need a starter. The internally balanced 383 engine block on my 78 burb is out of a 1995 truck. The flex plate is 168 tooth. I am looking for a quality starter that will last and not some AutoZone POS. This is a point of pain for me because the old truck used to make this horrendous noise when starting. Even after mechanics had it, it still
did it. I need something that is high quality and reliable. Any advice ya'll can give me would be greatly appreciated!

I used a like 1997 truck "mini" starter, I think delco. It's just a factory gear reduction starter, they work great. Haven't had an issue, sounds awesome.

PrairieDrifter said:

I used a like 1997 truck "mini" starter, I think delco. It's just a factory gear reduction starter, they work great. Haven't had an issue, sounds awesome.

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One thing you definitely want when you get one of the Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction starters (the smaller case starter the later model trucks used) is to have the correct length bolts to install it. When I had to replace the starter on my Crew Cab a year ago, I went to the local Chevy dealership parts department and got them. The correct bolts have a stepped knurling that helps locate the starter to the block.

Tuff Stuff makes good starters. They are made in USA.

I would go with a gear reduction starter over a direct drive. They are lighter, smaller, make more cranking power and spin the engine faster.

HotWheelsBurban said:

One thing you definitely want when you get one of the Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction starters (the smaller case starter the later model trucks used) is to have the correct length bolts to install it. When I had to replace the starter on my Crew Cab a year ago, I went to the local Chevy dealership parts department and got them. The correct bolts have a stepped knurling that helps locate the starter to the block.

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Yep. Ordered the starter and gm starter bolts from Rockauto.

edgephoto said:

Tuff Stuff makes good starters. They are made in USA.

I would go with a gear reduction starter over a direct drive. They are lighter, smaller, make more cranking power and spin the engine faster.

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If it's got gear reduction how does it spin the engine faster?

Let's say the motor spins at 1000 rpm, then you use gear reduction to reduce it to 300rpm for the engine. By nature of gear reduction you increase torque out of the motor.

A direct drive starter free spins at say 300 rpm but under load it will spin at maybe 200.

All hypothetical numbers. But the end result is your engine cranks faster.

I've been running this Summit mini starter since 2018. Works great.