1969 starter question

[Ralph A.]

Working on a 1969 350/300hp with automatic, 70,000 original miles. JM calls for 1108427 starter. The build date on this car is approx 12/1/1969. The car seams original with most dated parts being October or November. The starter in the car is a 1108338 (manual trans) dated 9L20. I know this physically works, could this have been done at the factory since that was the starter for a 68 with automatic or 69 manual transmission. Now the question is do I change the starter to match the JM.
Thanks
Ralph

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 starter question

Ralph-----

I'd recommend that you leave it. I feel very confident that it's original to the car. In fact, this may represent a revision that needs to be made to the 68-69 judging manual.

According to GM, the GM #1108427 starter was not used for Corvettes until the 1970 model year. Now, I suppose that it's POSSIBLE that some of these may have made it onto very late 1969 models (like yours), but I believe that GENERALLY, if not exclusively, the GM #1108338 starter was used for all 1969 small blocks, regardless of transmission.

The only difference between the GM #1108338 and 1108427 starters is the nose. The 1108338 uses a cast iron nose; the 1108427 uses an aluminum nose. However, it's NOT the same aluminum nose as used for most 63-68 small block applications with 153 tooth flywheel/flexplate. This nose is of a different configuration and is, basically, an aluminum version of the cast iron nose (although there are some differences besides material) and is used with 168 tooth flexplates. As far as I know, this nose, and starter equipped with it, was released for the 1970 model year and used for Corvettes and other Chevrolets with THM from that time forward. Of course, your car was built after the 1970 model year had started for most other Chevrolet cars. Still, and especially considering the date on your starter, I'd say that your car was originally equipped with the 1108338 starter that you have.

If you were to replace the starter with a GM #1108427 then I think that you'd have to change the transmission converter underpan as well. The 68-69 THM underpan was GM #3868810. The underpan used for 1970 and later CORVETTE models with THM (and, the aluminum nose starter) was GM #3952661. I don't think that the 3868810 underpan is compatible (without some modification) when used with the aluminum nosed starters. So, if your underpan looks to be original to the car, it might be further evidence that the starter is, as well.

[Ralph A.]

Thanks Joe....Ralph *NM*