No room for a starter - help!

-
Mopar-Man

Mopar-Man

Big Block Better Burnout
Joined
Oct 10, 2009
Messages
1,450
Reaction score
1,041
Location
Orlando, Florida
This is my 3rd attempt at posting this message. I am almost to the point of smashing this damn computer:

Problem:

I paid much bucks for a custom front end on my 1974 Duster. It has new rails, tubular control arms, coil overs and a rack. The guy did nice work. He put my 440 in it with a front motor plate. So far so good. When I got the car back I noticed the alternator and starter were placed in a cardboard box in the trunk. No problem. I am now to the point of putting the accessories and I see there is no room for the stock starter. It is not even close; it hits the frame rail. So I bought a mini starter from 440 Source. It is a little better but still needs about 1/2-3/4" more room to miss the rail. I cannot find a starter that will fit this car. Is there one available that can be clocked? I really need some advice here!
 
You had custom work done…. We really can't help much. It is between you and your builder…

Work with the mini starter…. That is all I can offer.
 
Unfortunately I have to agree, This is a question for the fabricator. I would be asking him why the items were not in place when he did the work seeing you included them.
 
With available quality aftermarket suspensions with R&P from RMS or XV, WHY would you pay someone to custom build the same thing and then wind up with this situation? If the guy took your hard earned money he needs to fix it, not just band-aid with another starter. It's also possible that the motor sits too low.........
 
Jim Lusk said:
With available quality aftermarket suspensions with R&P from RMS or XV, WHY would you pay someone to custom build the same thing and then wind up with this situation? If the guy took your hard earned money he needs to fix it, not just band-aid with another starter. It's also possible that the motor sits too low.........
Click to expand...

Because when we started this car, those options did NOT exist! In fact, the tubular K-members cames out WHILE my car was in the shop and already cut up. Yes, the motor does sit very low in the chassis. He did this so he could set it back without cutting up the transmission tunnel. It is so low I don't need a hoodscoop with a single plane intake and I can run a 3 inch element. I am puzzled that he would remove the starter from the engine and never check it for clearance. This fella builds 6 second Pro Mods!
 
have you thought about taking it back to him and having him section the frame so the starter fits. this shouldn't be a big deal to do. he should do this for no money since he screwed it up in the first place.
 
Like other have stated you either have three options, take it back to him, find another competent shop and have your set up clearanced for the starter or do it yourself.

Is it a straight up interference or can you jack the motor up a bit and slide it in, kinda like you'd need to do with headers?

Pics would really help.
 
RobbMc has a nice chrysler starter that's inline like a GM and is clockable , it's not cheap but it may be the piece you need .
 
Mopar-Man said:
This is my 3rd attempt at posting this message. I am almost to the point of smashing this damn computer:

Problem:

I paid much bucks for a custom front end on my 1974 Duster. It has new rails, tubular control arms, coil overs and a rack. The guy did nice work. He put my 440 in it with a front motor plate. So far so good. When I got the car back I noticed the alternator and starter were placed in a cardboard box in the trunk. No problem. I am now to the point of putting the accessories and I see there is no room for the stock starter. It is not even close; it hits the frame rail. So I bought a mini starter from 440 Source. It is a little better but still needs about 1/2-3/4" more room to miss the rail. I cannot find a starter that will fit this car. Is there one available that can be clocked? I really need some advice here!
Click to expand...

FYI, the factory Chrysler mini starter is smaller than the 440 source, summit mini.............. trust me, I know

100_2698.jpg
 
HemiMark said:
The starter in this link is 7 7/8 inch long


The Chyrsler starter is only 6 inchs long # 56027702AC
Click to expand...

But he doesn't say which direction he has the fitment issue , I am ASSuMEing it's the mini is TOO WIDE , you are ASSuMEing it's TOO LONG .

If it were too long then the frame rails must be really HUGGING the block ???

I think the RobbMC would be better in your case also , that header too is TOO CLOSE in my opinion . , have you have to replace it yet ??
 
JohnRR said:
But he doesn't say which direction he has the fitment issue , I am ASSuMEing it's the mini is TOO WIDE , you are ASSuMEing it's TOO LONG .

If it were too long then the frame rails must be really HUGGING the block ???

I think the RobbMC would be better in your case also , that header too is TOO CLOSE in my opinion . , have you have to replace it yet ??
Click to expand...

LOL........... yes, that is the finished install! New Hemi TTI Headers.....and now we will see how long the starter lives! But she is a stick so I dont need no stinkin starter!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
 
JohnRR said:
But he doesn't say which direction he has the fitment issue , I am ASSuMEing it's the mini is TOO WIDE , you are ASSuMEing it's TOO LONG .

If it were too long then the frame rails must be really HUGGING the block ???

I think the RobbMC would be better in your case also , that header too is TOO CLOSE in my opinion . , have you have to replace it yet ??
Click to expand...

My problem is width. He designed the frame rails close to the block so the headers can go OUTSIDE of them. I have tons of header clearance (they are custom as well). The way that the solenoid is offset to one side of the 440 Source start creates the interference. On the STOCK large Chrysler starter, it is the actual width of the housing. So what I need is a minstarter with the solenoid mounted straight up.
 
Mopar-Man said:
Because when we started this car, those options did NOT exist! In fact, the tubular K-members cames out WHILE my car was in the shop and already cut up. Yes, the motor does sit very low in the chassis. He did this so he could set it back without cutting up the transmission tunnel. It is so low I don't need a hoodscoop with a single plane intake and I can run a 3 inch element. I am puzzled that he would remove the starter from the engine and never check it for clearance. This fella builds 6 second Pro Mods!
Click to expand...

How long was this thing in his shop? I don't know about XV, but the AlterK has been out for over five years, perhaps as long as eight or nine or longer. Not that I ever recommend Magnum Force, but I think theirs has been out considerably longer than the others.
 
Jim Lusk said:
How long was this thing in his shop? I don't know about XV, but the AlterK has been out for over five years, perhaps as long as eight or nine or longer. Not that I ever recommend Magnum Force, but I think theirs has been out considerably longer than the others.
Click to expand...

The car went into the shop back in 2000. It was there for 4-5 years. It was back-burnered to say the least. After it was released from car prison, I got married. That ran it's course and now I am working on the car again.:clock:
 
Well, the time line is close. I checked, the AlterK came out in '99 partly as a response to the poor fit of the MF. And, at this point with all the time that has passed taking it back to this guy to fix his error is out of the question.

If the motor is sitting as low as you say, is the trans also sitting lower? Rear end? Is the pinion angle setup for the position and angle of the trans? You may have more problems than whether a starter will fit.............
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top