What starter fits a 1978 Chevy small block?

Answer 1

Small blocks have three basic starters. They are all the same, actually, however they have three bolt patterns. They have two attachment bolts, and one pattern is the staggered, the two others have the bolts accross from each other, one with two equal length bolts, and one with staggered lengths. They all work with differentn type, or size flywheels. If your 78 is stock, with a TH350, I think you will want the 2 bolts, accross from each other, both bolts equal length. Now, if that wasn't confusing enough, here is an in side tip. There are two more differences, that matter. The selenoid, the sma;ller round cylinder attached, where the wires connect, at the bottom, there is an arm that sticks up, out of the middle of the starter. A bolt goes through this tab, and attaches the bottom of the selenoid. One type, the bolt justn goes through the tab, into the selenoid. The second type does the same, however, there is a much longer bolt, with a spacer a couple inches long. The none with the spacer is better to get. That tab extends from the armature. The one with the spacer has a larger armature, as is really for the big block, and is a much higher torque unit. Big block, and small block interchange a few things, and this is one of them. The higher torqwue unit will last a lot longer.