Mini-no-starter

[myk]

Well, the GREAT news is that my shiny new Doug's headers went in without having to ding any tubes.  Also, there's tons of clearance around everything including the fat Hotchkis pieces, and that's with 2 inch primaries into a 3 inch collector.  Great ground clearance too!  

But...the Proform mini starter that also went in isn't engaging the flywheel.  Now as far as I'm concerned starters are just a bolt in deal, right?  Is there something we might've missed while trying to finagle this thing in?  I was running a stock starter before and had no issues at all.  Any ideas guys?  Thanks in advance...

[six-tee-nine]

In most cases starters have a fixed position in the bellhousing opening due to a collar on the strater housing. Meaning if you have the correct one it fits and there is no adjustment or movement possible.

What coulb be possible is that you simply have the wrong starter (maybe for an application with a larger flywheel then yours).

Maybe pull the starter and compare the number of teeth on the pinion with your old OEM part.

[myk]

Thanks, I'll check it out. 

Are the starters the same for all of the Chrysler engines?  I'm pretty sure they are?

[ottawamerc]

Yes I believe they are as well, if it's not engaging could be it's not in all the way (doubt that) or defective (plausible). Great to hear about the new headers thats a BIG victory right there

Scott

[myk]

So that Proform starter just doesn't fit........right.  Looking at other car forums it seems that there're all sorts of quality control/fitment/reliability issues, so if any of you guys are in the market for a mini-starter you might want to consider anyone but Proform.  

In any case, here's the left header after it was pulled out AGAIN...





NO I'm not getting Flowmasters, lol.  I just rested the header on the nearest boxes I could find.  I'm going with short bodied Dynomax Ultraflo's, even though I have to admit that I love the Flowmaster noise and drone; I decided that the exhaust flow was more important than the "look at me and think I'm cool please" factor, even though that is important to me also.  

My X-pipe:





A Mopar Performance branded mini-starter is on its way; let's hope that the Chinese got this one right.  And why is it almost $300?!..

[ACUDANUT]

if your going with headers, I'll take the factory HP manifolds.

[firefighter3931]

Myk, you should have asked before ordering a mini starter.....$300 is crazy !  

I've recommended the DB electrical starter to dozens of members and run the same starter on my car. They run about $75 on E-bay and are top shelf. That thing spins my 572 over like a 4 cylinder  


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-Charger-Cuda-Hemi-440-NEW-Mini-Hi-Torque-Starter-/360477279074?hash=item53ee1ec362&vxp=mtr



Ron

[ACUDANUT]

In most cases starters have a fixed position in the bellhousing opening due to a collar on the strater housing. Meaning if you have the correct one it fits and there is no adjustment or movement possible.

What coulb be possible is that you simply have the wrong starter (maybe for an application with a larger flywheel then yours).

Maybe pull the starter and compare the number of teeth on the pinion with your old OEM part.

"Maybe pull the starter and compare the number of teeth on the pinion with your old OEM part"  I thought this was only a myth ?

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Myk, you should have asked before ordering a mini starter.....$300 is crazy !  

I've recommended the DB electrical starter to dozens of members and run the same starter on my car. They run about $75 on E-bay and are top shelf. That thing spins my 572 over like a 4 cylinder  


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-Charger-Cuda-Hemi-440-NEW-Mini-Hi-Torque-Starter-/360477279074?hash=item53ee1ec362&vxp=mtr



Ron

$300 bucks for a starter! Ouch.

I'm running the same DB starter as Ron, not a single issue with it.

[myk]

Yeah that's my mistake.  I told the shop to just order it-they told me it was a lot more than the Pro-form but I said I didn't care-I wanted it NOW, I just didn't figure it was almost $100 more.  Plus I figure if this starter craps out down the road they'll be on the hook for having to take the exhaust apart and replacing everything...

[A383Wing]

go to local auto parts store and get a starter for a 94 Dakota with V6 or V8.....that's what I put in my car...bolt right in....and not some $300 POS either....mine has a lifetime warranty

[myk]

Yeah screw it-I'm canceling that Mopar starter and going to NAPA for the Dakota one...

[Dino]

if your going with headers, I'll take the factory HP manifolds.

You beat me to it.  I'm thinking of ditching my headers.

[ws23rt]

if your going with headers, I'll take the factory HP manifolds.

You beat me to it.  I'm thinking of ditching my headers.

I've been thinking that for years.  I acquired a set of headers for my 70 charger and put them on just because they were headers. The first thing I noticed was nothing. The second thing I noticed was it was a bitch to get to the starter.

We can add many things to our cars for many reasons.---Is it for show? ---is it because others do it?---
If one put's headers on their car, where does the satisfaction come from? I do know what cool is all about and I spend much for it

I'm just talking to myself as well as others.

[Dino]

if your going with headers, I'll take the factory HP manifolds.

You beat me to it.  I'm thinking of ditching my headers.

I've been thinking that for years.  I acquired a set of headers for my 70 charger and put them on just because they were headers. The first thing I noticed was nothing. The second thing I noticed was it was a bitch to get to the starter.

We can add many things to our cars for many reasons.---Is it for show? ---is it because others do it?---
If one put's headers on their car, where does the satisfaction come from? I do know what cool is all about and I spend much for it

I'm just talking to myself as well as others.

Hey I hear ya 

I have never bought headers, they're just always on the car when I get it.  Not only do they make access a pain, and raise the underhood temps, my main beef with them is the sound they make.  It sometimes drives me crazy to hear that typical header thin metal sound come from under the car.  And since I'm not needing the supposed HP increase, I think I'd be much happer with HP manifolds.  Add a heat stove and I can finally use that dual snorkel I've had on the shelf for so long.   

Too bad people want your first born for the damn things.

[Chargerguy74]

Some info I came across just before purchasing a mini starter last week.

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/elec/1.html

[ws23rt]

if your going with headers, I'll take the factory HP manifolds.

You beat me to it.  I'm thinking of ditching my headers.

I've been thinking that for years.  I acquired a set of headers for my 70 charger and put them on just because they were headers. The first thing I noticed was nothing. The second thing I noticed was it was a bitch to get to the starter.

We can add many things to our cars for many reasons.---Is it for show? ---is it because others do it?---
If one put's headers on their car, where does the satisfaction come from? I do know what cool is all about and I spend much for it

I'm just talking to myself as well as others.

Hey I hear ya 

I have never bought headers, they're just always on the car when I get it.  Not only do they make access a pain, and raise the underhood temps, my main beef with them is the sound they make.  It sometimes drives me crazy to hear that typical header thin metal sound come from under the car.  And since I'm not needing the supposed HP increase, I think I'd be much happer with HP manifolds.  Add a heat stove and I can finally use that dual snorkel I've had on the shelf for so long.   

Too bad people want your first born for the damn things.

---There is a constant push pull with these old cars.  I personally like them the way they were made. When one starts to modify them it becomes a different beast.

[Dino]

My sentiments exactly.  Either go all out or leave it alone.  I now have a low comp engine with a mismatched cam that went out of style 20 years ago, some cheap headers, and a stupid performer intake.  Yeah that worked out.   

My engine is a 71 so in the boxes of parts that came with the car was the 71 only intake manifold, the good one!  That's going back on with a street demon carb and a slightly hotter than stock cam.  I can't wait!  HP manifolds would be awesome but I don't know if I'll have the funds for them.  I'd also have to modify the exhaust to fit the manifolds.  These headers actually never gave me issues, temps are not too hot, and the stock starter even fits...but that sound...

Of course without the headers the sound coming out the back may not be as nice anymore, but the cam will change that as well.  As cool as this beast sounds, I'm sure I won't miss it for very long when the car is running as it should.

I thought about heatwrap to muffle them under the hood but that's just a band aid.

[A383Wing]

never wrap headers...they will rust out from the moisture trapped in the asbestos heat wrap

[Dino]

never wrap headers...they will rust out from the moisture trapped in the asbestos heat wrap

Good to know!   

[myk]

if your going with headers, I'll take the factory HP manifolds.

You beat me to it.  I'm thinking of ditching my headers.

I've been thinking that for years.   I acquired a set of headers for my 70 charger and put them on just because they were headers. The first thing I noticed was nothing. The second thing I noticed was it was a bitch to get to the starter.

We can add many things to our cars for many reasons.---Is it for show? ---is it because others do it?---
If one put's headers on their car, where does the satisfaction come from? I do know what cool is all about and I spend much for it

I'm just talking to myself as well as others.

Faster, louder, better.  That's my agenda for the car...

Although lately all I've encountered is pricier and more annoying...

[don duick]

Myk

please let us know how your new exhaust sounds and if it is loud drone etc. I just put a pair of dynomax VT mufflers and they sound great and have no drone.

[myk]

Myk

please let us know how your new exhaust sounds and if it is loud drone etc. I just put a pair of dynomax VT mufflers and they sound great and have no drone.

Yes, despite the pressure to mount Magnaflows or Flowmaster 40's I am sticking with Dynomax Ultra-flos, although in a short body style because I want it as loud as possible, but not THAT loud....for the neighbors...I'll let you guys know and post a video/sound clip when and if I can..

[BSB67]

........with 2 inch primaries into a 3 inch collector.  

Seems like an odd size

[myk]

Yeah I'm a little worried about the size.  Guess I'll just have to go and get a bigger engine to go with the headers...