starter recommendation

[noslin]

looking for a good starter recommendation. hi torq please.   16v system, power glide, bbc

ty
dean

[dusterdave173]

Avoid the cheapo China stuff usually $69 range --get a $100 plus range from Summit etc that has a warranty you will be fine just avoid the cheapo units--no need to spend $200 on one--The trick is this--spin engine Then hit the mag or ignition switch--do it that way and you will never have issues--take time to shim any starter you get up right--the depth engagement needs to be corrected and set right--easy as pie just follow instructions or Youtube it

[dreracecar]

If you are running a blower, then go with a blower starter or at least have the drive and starter mount on the blower when the block starter takes a crap and you can borrow one that you should have bought in the first place

[Paul New]

I ran a TCI starter on my injectected SBC and later when I switched to blown from 1998-2013 hitting the starts with 24v I changed have he starts drive around 3 times in all those years. The only reason I changed to a blower starter is because I put a late model Hemi in my car for a season........

[noslin]

can you guys help educate me a little on flexplates.   only dealt with vw's and have never built a v8.  so, on summit searching for starters its asking for flex plate teeth.   is that totally arbitrary with whatever you want to use to some extent?  i get down to 168, 153, 139 teeth.  is there that much adjustment with the starter to accommodate all those teeth options?   

i have changed starters on a few cars in the past that i have had.  you just tell them year, motor, etc and you just final shim accordingly.  so, say for BBC there are those many options?  i can only imagine the 139 teeth is prob 1" smaller OD ?

motor is looking like its going to be a merlin or dart block 509 or 540 depending on what crank is used. 

btw, if you anyone needs info about aircooled vw just let me know hahaha..

ty
dean

[masracingtd1167]

Most of the after market starters have 2 sets of holes for the big and small ring gears . I use a 168 tooth flex plate but I don't think it really matters .

[glofria]

Over the years we have had good luck with MSD starters, but I'm not certain if they make a 16v version.

We also have another car at our disposal with blown BBC and 16v system and the starter used in that car is a Meziere. Have had no problems that I know of. And they are based in California too.  https://www.meziere.com/

I highly suggest buying a 153 tooth (externally balanced) flexplate. Depending on if your car is a dragster/altered or a door car, you want to be certain that it will fit within the frame rails.