Best Starter for 454TBI

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Busted Knuckle

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One of the things I haven't gotten to is a starter swap. Existing starter is 15 years old (ACDelco). I see there are gear reduction units as well as premium conventional types. I'm looking for maximum reliability and do not have high compression. Any opinions or experiences you would like to share ?
 

454cid

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Get the OEM style mini-starter if it fits, and I assume it does as it used to be a common recommendation in magazines. I bought the new Korean made AC Delco starter a few years ago, and it works fine..... I was replacing my OEM mini-starter. The only issue was that the OEM heat shield didn't fit it. I've wondered if the GMT-800 style heat shield would work, but I haven't had an issue running without one.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3467841&cc=1353451&jsn=329
 

thinger2

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See if you have a good starter rebuild place nearby.
Even a new Delco is Chinese these days
A factory Delco properly rebuilt is better than the parts store crap.
You can rebuild it yourself too NAPA sells a kit and they are pretty easy to do.
And, you wont need to shim it.
 

Erik the Awful

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I will always take a gear reduction over the old style starters if it's available for a reasonable price. The larger your engine, the more insanely large the starter has to be.

Funny story, I accidentally dropped a full-size Cadillac starter on my upper lip years ago - I had my first date with my wife that evening with a fat lip and loose tooth. It's since been replaced with a gear reduction starter.
 

454cid

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I will always take a gear reduction over the old style starters if it's available for a reasonable price. The larger your engine, the more insanely large the starter has to be.

Funny story, I accidentally dropped a full-size Cadillac starter on my upper lip years ago - I had my first date with my wife that evening with a fat lip and loose tooth. It's since been replaced with a gear reduction starter.

If I ever have to replace the starter on my Buick again, I'll look into a mini-starter. Those old starters are huge. I can't imagine dropping one on your face like that..... glad your wife looked past that :)
 

retorq

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One of the things I haven't gotten to is a starter swap. Existing starter is 15 years old (ACDelco). I see there are gear reduction units as well as premium conventional types. I'm looking for maximum reliability and do not have high compression. Any opinions or experiences you would like to share ?

Busted Knuckle said:
I'm an Electrical Engineer with 40+ years of experience.

Busted Knuckle said:
"That info" comes from the fact I was a designer for the electronics at GM

Seems legit.
 
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