Big Block Starter - Attached where?

[Richard M.]

I've recently tried to decipher at which stage was the Starter attached to the completed Big Block engines.....

According to this published GM article,
http://www.corvette.net/NCRS/Building_427_Engines.pdf

It states they used a fixture mounted permanent starter drive on the test stand on every engine to test run.

Did the production Big Block Starter get assembled to the engines in Tonawanda, or in St Louis?

The reason I ask is in the 1967 AIM, in the "Engine" UPC, it shows the 327 CI starter as a part# and the use of a cement/sealer around the snout of the starter to the front of the flywheel cover after assembly. So it appears St Louis installed the starter on all SB engines.

The Big Block section(s) in the AIM, UPC L36/L68/L71/L88, does not show the starter as a separate line item, so I would imagine the starter was installed in Tonawanda. Agree?

So.....Did Tonawanda use a similar cement/sealer around the starter nose to the flywheel cover as was done in St Louis for the SB cars?

Like this? (Ignore add-on NTFP insulation wrap, too much paint on the bottom of the pan. wrong ex manifold coating, etc, etc)


If so, should this be a judged item?

Rich

[Dave S.]

Re: Big Block Starter - Attached where?

I've recently tried to decipher at which stage was the Starter attached to the completed Big Block engines.....

According to this published GM article,
http://www.corvette.net/NCRS/Building_427_Engines.pdf

It states they used a fixture mounted permanent starter drive on the test stand on every engine to test run.

Did the production Big Block Starter get assembled to the engines in Tonawanda, or in St Louis?

The reason I ask is in the 1967 AIM, in the "Engine" UPC, it shows the 327 CI starter as a part# and the use of a cement/sealer around the snout of the starter to the front of the flywheel cover after assembly. So it appears St Louis installed the starter on all SB engines.

The Big Block section(s) in the AIM, UPC L36/L68/L71/L88, does not show the starter as a separate line item, so I would imagine the starter was installed in Tonawanda. Agree?

So.....Did Tonawanda use a similar cement/sealer around the starter nose to the flywheel cover as was done in St Louis for the SB cars?

If so, should this be a judged item?

Rich

Rich,
I'm not sure about big block engines but I believe small blocks had the starters installed in St.Louis. I once had a chicken wire crate loaded with starters that had St. Louis Assembly plant stenciled on it. That was 1970 vintage so maybe earlier it was done differently.
I'm not familiar with sealer around the nose to flywheel cover.

[Richard M.]

Re: Big Block Starter - Attached where?

Rich,
I'm not sure about big block engines but I believe small blocks had the starters installed in St.Louis. I once had a chicken wire crate loaded with starters that had St. Louis Assembly plant stenciled on it. That was 1970 vintage so maybe earlier it was done differently.
I'm not familiar with sealer around the nose to flywheel cover.

Dave,

I only noticed it a few months ago while restoring that '67. The 1967 AIM specifies the sealer around the starter nose. But only on the SB engines as yes, they were installed in St Louis.

I just checked the 1965 AIM(for you). UPC 6 Sheet B1. Here it is..... Bulk Item 30aK, Cement. View A clearly shows it gobbed around the snout, with special note to keep the drain hole free of sealer.

[Dave S.]

Re: Big Block Starter - Attached where?

Thanks Rich. I learned something today.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Big Block Starter - Attached where?

It's definitely on 70-72 cars. I would bet that Dave's late 71 has it on.
We included it in the new JG, and it is a judged item so to speak, though of course how many points could one even deduct...?

[Richard M.]

Re: Big Block Starter - Attached where?

Thanks Patrick....

The real question is should it be on the Big Block engines as well. You mention it's in the 70-72 JG, but is it expected on both engine types?Nothing in the '65-'67 AIM BB sections regarding it's use. Again, as I suspect the starters were installed on those in Tonawanda.

Yes, probably a minute deduct, but it's still bugging me. I need to know.

Rich

[Joe L.]

Re: Big Block Starter - Attached where?

I've recently tried to decipher at which stage was the Starter attached to the completed Big Block engines.....

According to this published GM article,
http://www.corvette.net/NCRS/Building_427_Engines.pdf

It states they used a fixture mounted permanent starter drive on the test stand on every engine to test run.

Did the production Big Block Starter get assembled to the engines in Tonawanda, or in St Louis?

The reason I ask is in the 1967 AIM, in the "Engine" UPC, it shows the 327 CI starter as a part# and the use of a cement/sealer around the snout of the starter to the front of the flywheel cover after assembly. So it appears St Louis installed the starter on all SB engines.

The Big Block section(s) in the AIM, UPC L36/L68/L71/L88, does not show the starter as a separate line item, so I would imagine the starter was installed in Tonawanda. Agree?

So.....Did Tonawanda use a similar cement/sealer around the starter nose to the flywheel cover as was done in St Louis for the SB cars?

Like this? (Ignore add-on NTFP insulation wrap, too much paint on the bottom of the pan. wrong ex manifold coating, etc, etc)


If so, should this be a judged item?

Rich

Rich-------


If you look on the "Non Illustrated Parts" page of the big block engine option for the particular year, you will note under "UPC 6 Engine" a line that says "6Y-2 Starting Motor and Controls--" followed by a "bisected circle" symbol. The symbol indicates the installation of the starter was "Same as Production" and the part number to be found in the "Bill of Materials".

[Richard M.]

Re: Big Block Starter - Attached where?

Rich-------


If you look on the "Non Illustrated Parts" page of the big block engine option for the particular year, you will note under "UPC 6 Engine" a line that says "6Y-2 Starting Motor and Controls--" followed by a "bisected circle" symbol. The symbol indicates the installation of the starter was "Same as Production" and the part number to be found in the "Bill of Materials".

Joe, Yes I now see that in the 1967 AIM L36 as you describe. Also in the 1965 L78 section. Thanks for your research efforts.

So it appears to me then, that the big Block Starters were assembled to the engine in St Louis. So, with that, it seems more likely that the Sealer was used on the Big Block starters as well.

Rich

[Jim S.]

Re: Big Block Starter - Attached where?

"I just checked the 1965 AIM(for you). UPC 6 Sheet B1. Here it is..... Bulk Item 30aK, Cement. View A clearly shows it gobbed around the snout, with special note to keep the drain hole free of sealer."


66 AIM shows it as well . Calls it 30ab and notes it was called 30ak .

So now that it is proven that most mid years need it . What was it , what color was it , and what looks like it now ? The only "plastic cement" I am familiar with is Testor's model car glue !

Jim

[Richard M.]

Re: Big Block Starter - Attached where?

"I just checked the 1965 AIM(for you). UPC 6 Sheet B1. Here it is..... Bulk Item 30aK, Cement. View A clearly shows it gobbed around the snout, with special note to keep the drain hole free of sealer."


66 AIM shows it as well . Calls it 30ab and notes it was called 30ak .

So now that it is proven that most mid years need it . What was it , what color was it , and what looks like it now ? The only plastic cement I am familiar with is Testor's model car glue !

Jim

Jim, Since it was used in many other areas as noted in the AIMs, like for water sealant behind lock pillar latches, etc, and has the black appearance of dum-dum, I use 3M Strip Caulk.


Rich

[Jim S.]

Re: Big Block Starter - Attached where?

Jim, Since it was used in many other areas as noted in the AIMs, like for water sealant behind lock pillar latches, etc, and has the black appearance of dum-dum, I use 3M Strip Caulk.


Rich

Rich,

I have that also ! Guess I will save my Testors for later .


Jim

[John H.]

Re: Big Block Starter - Attached where?

All starters were installed at the car assembly plants, and the "plastic seam sealer" used at the nose was "Dum-Dum", otherwise known as 3m Strip-Calk.

[Richard M.]

Re: Big Block Starter - Attached where?

All starters were installed at the car assembly plants, and the "plastic seam sealer" used at the nose was "Dum-Dum", otherwise known as 3m Strip-Calk.

Thanks John!!