Starter mounting bolt pattern

[WFarm]

My 1987 R1500 with 350tbi and TH700 Auto has a starter mounted with staggered bolts. It also appears to have an unused tapped bolt hole for mounting the starter with in-line bolts? Can starters using either mounting arrangement be used?

 

[bucket]

Nope. The block is drilled for use with the straight starter pattern, but that is for use with a 153 tooth flywheel used in cars. Your flywheel (or flexplate) is a 168 tooth and requires the starter with staggered mounting pattern.

However, there are aftermarket "mini" starters that have a straight mounting pattern, but there is two pairs of mounting holes. Those are designed to work with both size flywheels.

 

[WFarm]

Makes sense Bucket. Thank you!