Gear Reduction Starter Praise

[JKRamsey1991]

Recently rebuilt the engine with some performance goodies for my old squarebody. Prior to that the starter always seemed to struggle and sounded awful. After the rebuild and the additional point or 2 of compression it was not cutting it. So I went to Autozone and picked up one of the gear reduction starters for a 90s model. Man that thing really whirls the motor over. I dont know if I ever had a small block starter spin an engine that fast besides like the super high end racing models.

So if you need a new starter dont fool around with one of the heavy old styles and upgrade to the gear reduction models.

 

[bucket]

Yep, the newer design starters are far better than the older ones.

To those that are interested, the staggered pattern starter was first used in '95 I believe, on all trucks and vans with 4.3, 5.0, 5.7 and 7.4 engines. The straight pattern starter was first used in '92 I believe, on the Corvette. Then at some point soon after on the Camaro and Caprice. Shorter bolts are typically required for both versions.

 

[squaredeal91]

I've had good luck with the small chevy starters. Pretty amazing how well they do.

On a side note I figured out the other day how the **** are getting big v6s to start So easy with tiny motors. There Makin starters for 9 volts and giving them 12+ volts. This starter is from a 2017 Tacoma 3.5v6

 

[bucket]

I've had good luck with the small chevy starters. Pretty amazing how well they do.

On a side note I figured out the other day how the **** are getting big v6s to start So easy with tiny motors. There Makin starters for 9 volts and giving them 12+ volts. This starter is from a 2017 Tacoma 3.5v6

Interesting! Myself, I've never been impressed with the fit and longevity of the usual "mini" starter based off of that Denso unit. Maybe 12+ isn't the cause though. My tractor's 6volt starter has been working fine for who knows how long, on 12 volts. But, it's also a quality vintage starter.

 

[Ricko1966]

Interesting! Myself, I've never been impressed with the fit and longevity of the usual "mini" starter based off of that Denso unit. Maybe 12+ isn't the cause though. My tractor's 6volt starter has been working fine for who knows how long, on 12 volts. But, it's also a quality vintage starter.

I use to run 6v starters on 12v in cars. Coldest days of the winter,poor battery is just freezing but the barely adequate 12v spins a 6V up like nobody's business. Never had one fail,probably because starters are such intermittent use.

 

[squaredeal91]

some of the newer cars with eco mode starts and stops the engine several times like at stop lights and stuff creating 3+ times more ware. And heat could have allot to do with it too.

 

[SquareRoot]

I dont know if I ever had a small block starter spin an engine that fast besides like the super high end racing models.

So if you need a new starter dont fool around with one of the heavy old styles and upgrade to the gear reduction models.

Shouldn't gear reduction spin the engine slower, not faster?

 

[squaredeal91]

Shouldn't gear reduction spin the engine slower, not faster?

That's how the old dodges were. Remember? They sounded like they would never start but then would lol. The newer high torque ones sound like they spin the engine fast.

 

[SquareRoot]

That's how the old dodges were. Remember? They sounded like they would never start but then would lol. The newer high torque ones sound like they spin the engine fast.

I have a newer permanant magnet, gear reduction one on mine. I can't say if it actually spins the engine over any faster but it sure sounds different. I actually don't like how it sounds. When I let off the key it takes a second or two or three for it to "spool down". It's disengaging from the flywheel clean so it's not hanging up. I think it's just the nature of having additional gears rotating and then freewheeling until they stop spinning.

 

[bucket]

I have a newer permanant magnet, gear reduction one on mine. I can't say if it actually spins the engine over any faster but it sure sounds different. I actually don't like how it sounds. When I let off the key it takes a second or two or three for it to "spool down". It's disengaging from the flywheel clean so it's not hanging up. I think it's just the nature of having additional gears rotating and then freewheeling until they stop spinning.

It may just be your particular starter. Mine don't seem to spool down. I won't say they don't, but it's definitely not noticeable.

 

[squaredeal91]

I have a newer permanant magnet, gear reduction one on mine. I can't say if it actually spins the engine over any faster but it sure sounds different. I actually don't like how it sounds. When I let off the key it takes a second or two or three for it to "spool down". It's disengaging from the flywheel clean so it's not hanging up. I think it's just the nature of having additional gears rotating and then freewheeling until they stop spinning.

I've heard worn in ones spool down kinda like the big Delco's would do