On my 4th starter

[sjones24]

I bought a 1982 Scottsdale C-10 in 2023. When I bought it I was told that the 305 motor was bored over 30. I ordered starters for a 1982
C-10 but none would properly mate up with the flex plate. We tried shims, no shims etc, but the motor had a rough start and/or would not engage at all. I noticed visible wear on the flex plate, so I purchased my forth new starter and a flex plate. When we pulled the old flex plate (168 teeth) we discovered that the motor had been updated with a newer 305. The casting number is 14093627. Does anyone have info on the correct starter for a 305 motor manufactured between 1987-1994?

 

[ali_c20]

Welcome.

How many teeth has your new flex plate?

The starter has to match the flex plate. Mounting holes on the block are the same, the starter has the holes on different positions to fit the flex plate.
There are starters which can be used for 153 and 168 teeth flex plates.

Get a gear reduction / mini starter, they have less weight and more clearance to the exhaust.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/starters/make/chevrolet/engine-size/5-0l-305/engine-family/chevy-small-block-gen-i?N=flywheel-flexplate-tooth-quantity%3A153-168-tooth_168-tooth_153-tooth&SortBy=Default&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=starter&kr=starter

 

[bucket]

The later 305's take the same type of starter. A 168 tooth flywheel or flex plate all take a factory type starter with a staggered bolt pattern. There are different starters with different body sizes that were used over the years, but that doesn't make a difference here.

It sounds like your starters have all been too far away from the flex plate. With the starter installed, you want about 1/8" of clearance between the ring gear and the shaft in the starter. You can use a drill bit as a gauge. If the clearance is too great, you will need a shim (or two) that are cut short and used on the outboard bolt only. Or the mounting pad on the starter can be milled down as well.

 

[82sbshortbed]

The later 305's take the same type of starter. A 168 tooth flywheel or flex plate all take a factory type starter with a staggered bolt pattern. There are different starters with different body sizes that were used over the years, but that doesn't make a difference here.

It sounds like your starters have all been too far away from the flex plate. With the starter installed, you want about 1/8" of clearance between the ring gear and the shaft in the starter. You can use a drill bit as a gauge. If the clearance is too great, you will need a shim (or two) that are cut short and used on the outboard bolt only. Or the mounting pad on the starter can be milled down as well.

When i had this problem with the 84 starter. Was it a 84 caprice starter for a 305 that you told me to try? Because that fixed my problem.

 

[legopnuematic]

Be sure to use the proper starter bolts too, that have knurling after the threads. If you go to a later style “mini” starter, at least the one I put on my 76, needed bolts with a 10mm shank diameter and 3/8 threads, not 3/8 shank diameter with 3/8 threads like the original bolts.