Battery/starter question

[chevyman0429]

I found the starter grinding problem the mounting hole in the block is cracked! Not good as it’s a 69 512 block.

[earntaz]

Originally Posted by chevyman0429

I found the starter grinding problem the mounting hole in the block is cracked! Not good as it’s a 69 512 block.

Damn -- not good! It can be fixed but the process is extensive. Back in the day one method was a lot of preheat and a good welder using high nickle rod ... Good Luck!

[rszmjt]

Originally Posted by chevyman0429

I found the starter grinding problem the mounting hole in the block is cracked! Not good as it’s a 69 512 block.

If your car has the cast iron starter end housing you can always find the end housing that has the 3 bolt style, and use all 3 to retain the starter, apparently Some early BB “may” be drilled for all three, you will have to check, you could always put a stud in the cracked hole too?

I used the 3 bolt end housing before on a mid year Corvette that had that issue, it’s still good after about 5 years.

[chevyman0429]

Originally Posted by rszmjt

If your car has the cast iron starter end housing you can always find the end housing that has the 3 bolt style, and use all 3 to retain the starter, 512 blocks are drilled for all three, you could always put a stud in the cracked hole too?

I used the 3 bolt end housing before on a mid year Corvette that had that issue, it’s still good after about 5 years.

Yea that’s the plan however for now I’m gonnna use a high torque mini starter that also uses three bolts with the stud. I am on the hunt for a starter or nose of one with the three holes if anyone has any knowledge of what year and what model had this nose.

[rszmjt]

I think 66-72 Corvette/Chevrolet used them, maybe truck applications too. Any starter rebuild shop should have access to it.
The third bolt is a non knurled type bolt as most blocks are not counterbored on third inner hole.

Also make sure you use the front starter to block brace, that’s very important.

[chevyman0429]

So my block is counter bored for the knurled bolt on the third bolt should I use a knurled bolt or no?

[McCune]

You won't find a GM housing that will bolt up with 3 bolts. You can find a aftermarket starter that will. The cast iron housing with three bolts does not line up with the block.

[McCune]

This is the housing that will not bolt up to a big or small block using three bolts.

[rszmjt]

Well that’s weird, I did it on a friends 67 Corvette about 5 yrs ago and it worked fine, maybe it was a aftermarket part or block had been previously drilled & tapped, I don’t know.
I have another starter with that end housing, next time I go to shop I’m going to mock it up on a block and check it . I have 33 blocks at shop so it shouldn’t be a issue, Ha Ha.

[rszmjt]

On Rays Chevy Restoration site they say some early big blocks were drilled with this pattern.