^^^ What he said.
Mini-starters need metric-shank bolts, but the threads in the block are SAE 3/8-16. The bolts have a step between the larger shank and the smaller threaded area.
Photo 1. Genuine GM and aftermarket ARP mini-starter bolts. http://hbassociates.us/Delco_PG260_Bolts_01.jpg
Photo 2. GM bolts having stepped knurl to locate the starter housing to the block. http://hbassociates.us/Delco_PG260_Bolts_02.jpg
The GM bolts are not horribly expensive. ARP mini-starter bolts are actually not as nice, and double or triple the price of the GM stuff.
GM put heat shields on the mini-starter solenoids and the big starters solenoids for a reason. Make certain that the starter has a heat shield on it when you put it back in. Some of those heat shields also protect the knock sensor wire harness from exhaust heat, too.
My '97 needed wire-harness surgery. The "purple" (fades to pink over time) wire that goes to the "S" terminal had terrible corrosion on the lowest ~18 inches. I had to splice in fresh wire to get enough power to the "S" terminal for the starter to work right.
Mini-starters need metric-shank bolts, but the threads in the block are SAE 3/8-16. The bolts have a step between the larger shank and the smaller threaded area.
Photo 1. Genuine GM and aftermarket ARP mini-starter bolts. http://hbassociates.us/Delco_PG260_Bolts_01.jpg
You must be registered for see images attach
Photo 2. GM bolts having stepped knurl to locate the starter housing to the block. http://hbassociates.us/Delco_PG260_Bolts_02.jpg
You must be registered for see images attach
The GM bolts are not horribly expensive. ARP mini-starter bolts are actually not as nice, and double or triple the price of the GM stuff.
GM put heat shields on the mini-starter solenoids and the big starters solenoids for a reason. Make certain that the starter has a heat shield on it when you put it back in. Some of those heat shields also protect the knock sensor wire harness from exhaust heat, too.
My '97 needed wire-harness surgery. The "purple" (fades to pink over time) wire that goes to the "S" terminal had terrible corrosion on the lowest ~18 inches. I had to splice in fresh wire to get enough power to the "S" terminal for the starter to work right.