Any issues w/ mini-starter and different torque converters

pishta, chryslerfat,

You guys are a wealth of information. Sounds like in a manual if the flywheel doesn't match the bell-housing, the starter may not even contact the flywheel. Re original question, consensus is all Chrysler starters interchange (since ~1962?).

One must know all such details. Never assume "professionals" know. I once ordered a rebuilt 727 BB trans to install w/ rebuilt 383 engine in my '65 Chrysler. Was rushed to install before a move to CA and found the trans was wrong. Looked OK in shrink wrap, but found not a cable-shift and speedometer hole too big. I guess the national rebuilder didn't know '65 Mopars had column selectors but were still cable-shift.

I knew about the smaller pilot hole on earlier crankshafts (forged cranks <~'72?) and the matching torque converters. However, not sure if only small blocks. What about slant six and big blocks? I think a manual trans also requires adding a pilot bushing to the crank even when the same year, so more combinations and chances for FU.

Without centering the torque converter to engine, there would be vibration and bending loads, but you couldn't tell when bolting up. I once stripped the alumin threads in forcing a slant six auto trans to the engine. Must not have had the torque converter all the way in (rotate til both shafts slide in and pads at least 1/2" back from case). I didn't even have a Haynes manual in those dumb-kid days. I can see someone doing similar if the converter pilot hole was bigger than the crank's (newer torque converter to older engine). Not just a Mopar thing. A coworker once pulled hair trying to attach a GM trans to a SB Pontiac engine and found the crank differed from Chevy (60's parts).

Re cracking flexplates, a common problem on Mopar 3.8L V-6's, which are basically small-blocks w/ 2 less cylinders. This Xmas break will be spent fixing that on my 2002 T&C, plus rebuilding the trans. It also messes up the crank sensor (engine misses) since the slotted "toner ring" is part of the flexplate and also cracks. I wonder if Magnum engines suffer the same problem since similar design and even more torque. Do they use cheap, brittle steel today? I see all kind of parts break that never broke in the old days.