L-72 427 has a 1107320 starter...

[Larry T.]

does this mean the nose has been switched or will the small block starter bolt right up? If the nose has not been changed will I need different bolts when I install the correct starter? Should I anticipate that the 320 starter will have a shorter life than a correct 1107365 starter?

The 320 starter is an August 17, 1966 part. The car is a November 1965 produced car.

Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: L-72 427 has a 1107320 starter...

does this mean the nose has been switched or will the small block starter bolt right up? If the nose has not been changed will I need different bolts when I install the correct starter? Should I anticipate that the 320 starter will have a shorter life than a correct 1107365 starter?

The 320 starter is an August 17, 1966 part. The car is a November 1965 produced car.

Thanks.

Larry-----

Assuming the 1966 L-72 has the clutch, flywheel and bellhousing which is typical for that application, the GM #1107320 starter, as originally configured, could not be installed. The 1107320, as originally configured, had an aluminum nose with straight-across, "long and short" bolt attachment.

The L-72 should be equipped with bellhousing GM #3872444, 14" flywheel, and 11" clutch. This set-up requires a starter with a cast iron nose and off-set, 2 same-length bolt mounting pattern.

It is very possible that a starter which was originally manufactured as a GM #1107320 could be re-configured to work with the above-referenced L-72 set-up. Commercial rebuilders do this sort of thing all the time. To do so would involve changing some internal parts as well as the nose.

However, there is one other difference between a GM #1107320 and the 1107365 that was used for 1966 big block applications. The 1107320 was a standard torque starter (5MT) but the 1107365 was a high torque starter (10MT). This difference involves the use of different armatures and different field coils between the 2 starter part numbers. It is very possible, though, to install a high torque armature and field coils in a frame that was originally used for a standard torque starter.

In general, a standard torque versus high torque starter can be identified by the tubular copper spacer used between the field coil terminal and the solenoid on the high torque version. However, John Pirkle has advised that a conversion to high torque configuration can also be done without the need to re-locate the field coil terminal. So, if your starter does not evidence the tubular copper spacer, it could still be that it has been internally converted to the high torque configuration. To determine that, though, you'd need to at least partially disassemble the starter.

[Larry T.]

Re: L-72 427 has a 1107320 starter...

Joe, as always thanks for the great info. I do have the 3872444 bellhousing so the nose had to have been changed. I will check the starter out further when I have a reason to pull it off. For now it is working fine and turns over the motor well.

In the meantime I will keep an eye out for a correct starter. If anyone has one please let me know (November 65 car).

Can anyone out there tell me what I should be prepared to spend on a proper rebuild/restoration if I find the right starter and it needs it? Or what I shoud expect to pay for a complete starter already done correctly? Thanks.

[Ronald L.]

Re: L-72 427 has a 1107320 starter...

Larry signed sealed less delivery $170. Finished with all the high torque fields. Check eBay, there are guys that have these, just need to sift through dates, try for 2-3 weeks ahead of your cars dates. These thing are not months ahead, big blocks and BB parts were on a low run tight time line.
Pop me a note for the reference above, that $ will get you a NCRS outsides starter.

[Dick W.]

Re: L-72 427 has a 1107320 starter...

Larry signed sealed less delivery $170. Finished with all the high torque fields. Check eBay, there are guys that have these, just need to sift through dates, try for 2-3 weeks ahead of your cars dates. These thing are not months ahead, big blocks and BB parts were on a low run tight time line.
Pop me a note for the reference above, that $ will get you a NCRS outsides starter.

Beware that a lot of the hard to find starters and dates on Eflea are restamps and some are of questionable quality

[Larry T.]

Re: L-72 427 has a 1107320 starter...

Beware that a lot of the hard to find starters and dates on Eflea are restamps and some are of questionable quality

I do not know anything about John Pirkle except that he has a very good reputation for doing good work. I am planning to call him this week. Is it safe to assume if he says it is "real', and not a restamp, I can take it to the bank.

[Larry T.]

Re: L-72 427 has a 1107320 starter...

I talked to John Pirkle this morning. I look forward to doing business with him. Unfortunately the best date he had was 14 weeks before the date my car rolled off the line. When I find a September or October 1965 starter I will be sending it to him for restoration. The one on the car is fine so I may as well narrow the search a little. If you have a lead on one, or a source to check for one meeting my requirements please let me know. In the mean time I will keep an eye on the usual sources.

Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: L-72 427 has a 1107320 starter...

I talked to John Pirkle this morning. I look forward to doing business with him. Unfortunately the best date he had was 14 weeks before the date my car rolled off the line. When I find a September or October 1965 starter I will be sending it to him for restoration. The one on the car is fine so I may as well narrow the search a little. If you have a lead on one, or a source to check for one meeting my requirements please let me know. In the mean time I will keep an eye on the usual sources.

Thanks.

Larry------


Fortunately, the GM #1107365 starter was not a Corvette-unique piece. It was used across all the Chevrolet car lines in 1966 (and later) for Mark IV-equipped cars. So, that significantly broadens the donor base.

[Larry M.]

Re: L-72 427 has a 1107320 starter...

I do not know anything about John Pirkle except that he has a very good reputation for doing good work. I am planning to call him this week. Is it safe to assume if he says it is "real', and not a restamp, I can take it to the bank.

Yes you can take that to the bank.

Larry

[Ronald L.]

Re: L-72 427 has a 1107320 starter...

Larry, Big blocks for 66 had a tight flow of parts, you could poll for data off original cars, but basically you are going to be looking to get something 2-3 weeks ahead of your car's date. Everyone talks about how the first rack of parts was the last one used, but in the end this plant as all plants are is a factory and the intent was to use up the stock. That is the exception to the normal factory flow, stuff was rarely stockpiled for months on end, and it would be at the end of a model year that you might find some older parts showing up, but not at the introduction of the model as 66 427 was new starting that fall.

[Larry T.]

Re: L-72 427 has a 1107320 starter...

[quote=Ronald Lovelace (50931);472246]Larry, Big blocks for 66 had a tight flow of parts, you could poll for data off original cars, but basically you are going to be looking to get something 2-3 weeks ahead of your car's date. quote]

Hopefully I can find something in the early to mid October range.

[Ronald L.]

Re: L-72 427 has a 1107320 starter...

Larry, set a fleabay serach on the part number and watch what comes up, Be patient, give it a couple of months and you will find one.