Hi All,

I'm going to change out my old rebuilt starter now that the Butler stroker kit is all broken in.
I need a higher-torque starter; really difficult when I try to start the engine hot. Heat soak was an issue before with the 400, but now at 461, it's very obviously a problem.
I'd like to consider a high-torque mini starter. Any experience with them?


RG

I have had mine in my car for 15 years without any problems. Got it from summit. Just a heads up. I don't like Powermaster which everyone buys because they are cheap. I have changed lots of them on cars at work that fail.

That sounds positive! Can you tell me which one you're using?

We had a Powermaster that came on the 400 in our 1980 TA. It clanged and banged the flex plate. We finally figured out how to adjust the spacing so it did not do that. Then it just quit working at all.

I prefer an actual Pontiac OEM starter that has the balls to crank a big V-8. If it won't that usually means it needs a GOOD rebuild. Not a chain store half-assed rebuild. I have a mom and pop actual auto-electric re-builder by me. They build stuff that will outlast the car.

It may also help to double check all the wiring from the ignition switch to the starter. I have solved a lot of hot start/no start problems that way. I believe in 10 gauge wire for all that wiring, not the thin gauge OEM stuff.

X2 on Powermaster - NFG
Can’t help you on a mini starter. Can recommend O’Reillys lifetime rebuilt starters. I’ve had great luck with them.

In all honesty any OEM type starter shouldn't have a problem starting any Pontiac engine. These engines are not 15:1 compression or anything special.
As long as all battery connections or good and are not corroded and you have a good cable and a good ground from the battery to the engine block any starter should work fine.