I see a lot of knowledge here for mini starters for our Buicks, but does anyone have experience with the new style starters for the Olds 455? I have a friend with a 442 and he's been having issues. example: http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/mini-starter.349731/#post-2978999 Thanks
Love my Robb Mc starter. Here is the one for Olds engines, https://www.robbmcperformance.com/products/olds_starter.html What issues is your friend Having?
Thanks Larry - he has the powermaster in now and it is grinding. He wants to replace it as he is not sure it is the correct one. He does not have the PM part number for the one he has. I was wondering if any of the cheap later model (LS style) would fit but I believe the Olds uses a 9 tooth pinion. That may be the deal breaker. He's been a professional mechanic for 30 years and knows how to shim and such so I don't think that is the problem.
Bill, see if the Powermaster starter he has uses a mounting block like this, Or whether it looks like a GM mini starter, The ones with a mounting block can be shimmed for pinion clearance by inserting shims in between the mounting block and starter to move the pinion away from the flex plate. You can't do that with a stock GM mini starter, you can only shim for gear backlash by shimming between the starter and engine block. So if his starter looks like my first picture, ask him if he checked the pinion to flex plate clearance, that may be why it is grinding.
+1 on the Powermaster...got mine from Summit racing & have had zero issues for 10 years onward. Kinda sounds cool with a Toyota-ish cranking before the 430 kicks in.