Starter cross-compatibility with other Chevy V8s

PLACE ANY ISSUES RELATED TO YOUR VAN NOT STARTING OR STARTING HARD IN HERE.
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Bret Schmerker
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Starter cross-compatibility with other Chevy V8s

Post by Bret Schmerker »

:-k As of April 2021 the stock starter in my 1997 GMC® M11006 (which has a Chrysler geared sound, strange for a direct-drive design) has developed at least one open in the rotor and won't crank consistently. I know about older designs of Delco-Remy direct-drive starters for the CHEVROLET® Turbo-Fire™ V8 with Turbo Hydra-Matic® (emitting the whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo that I instantly recognize when energized) that should bolt up to the V6-4300 cylinder block. The main question I have is length, specifically whether a mid-1960's starter for Powerglide or late-1960's to early 1970's starter for Turbo Hydra-Matic has sufficient clearance behind the 4300's motor mount. The older starters have generous internal clearances, basically fewer things to go wrong.
1997 GMC M11006 (Safari SLE, 2WD, V6-4300/4L60-E/7.625" 3.73:1 open)
Acquired Jul 2018 / In service Sep 2018 - Nov 2022 / down due leaky valve(s) #5 cyl.
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MountainManJoe
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Re: Starter cross-compatibility with other Chevy V8s

Post by MountainManJoe »

Is there a problem with OEM starters?

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Re: Starter cross-compatibility with other Chevy V8s

Post by Bret Schmerker »

After checking stats for two BesTest® starters at OReillyAuto.com, I's shocked to find that the stock starter (for which the BesTest PG260, UPC# 190037054807, is a second-source) is in fact a gear-drive rated for 1.7max kW, which explains the Chrysler sound. The direct-drive alternative at O'Reilly is the BesTest 10MT, UPC# 190037055132, which is rated for 1.4max kW. Both spin their pinions clockwise, correct for the CHEVROLET Turbo-Fire V6's and V8's and Turbo-Jet V8s, and are retained by identical-offset vertical SAE Grade 9 (or ISO Class 12.10) bolts. O'Reilly doesn't give overall length for either, disappointingly.
1997 GMC M11006 (Safari SLE, 2WD, V6-4300/4L60-E/7.625" 3.73:1 open)
Acquired Jul 2018 / In service Sep 2018 - Nov 2022 / down due leaky valve(s) #5 cyl.
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Re: Starter cross-compatibility with other Chevy V8s

Post by WoodButcher »

When you got your van it was 21 years old, are you sure that it had the stock starter?
In the 200,000 miles I had my '97 (bought in '00 w/ 100,000) I replaced the starter twice with the autozone flavor because they had a lifetime warranty. I only paid for the first one.
'93 Safari shorty, 350 swap
'05 Astro AWD, lifted, 6 liter, cammed, ported and programmed for fast.
'69 G10, straight 6, 3 onatree, jumped at me when I had a pocketful of cash looking for a spare astro. :)
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