high torque stock starter

hi folks,
a friend of mine just can not get a mini starter in his 66 cornet 440/auto.
a standard starter will fit. something about the exhaust in the way causes the issue.
so my question is there a high torque standard starter that will perform as strong as a mini starter? is there a way to rebuild it for the added torque?
what did they use on the 60's-70's big blocks in nhra?
thanks
terry