Mini Starter not fitting
Funny about forums, some people are helpful and others assume they know so much about what they are commenting about that they fail to understand the question. It's not always that "evident"
I had read all the forums and articles in advance of my posting for input here.
Most said they could bolt in a mini starter from a '88-'03 3.9 V6, 5.2 and 5.9 V8 RWD/4WD Dodge truck or van in 5 - 15 minutes like it was the easiest of OEM installs.
I couldn't find any other mention's of having this fit issue and needing to grind the block or the starter to allow for it to properly mount. I had looked at new and remanufactured china versions and they all had the same issue if I wanted to upgrade to the '88-'93 denso mini starter design.
A few "helpful suggestions" to my post indicated grinding could be the best solution. So I returned the store bought China product that forums said isn't worth your time or money. I then pulled a clean starter from a '90 5.9 Ram at the local salvage yard for $35 which would limit my loss if it didn't work and allow me to keep the original starter w/o core charge. I can now pass that on to any future owners wanting to rebuild and keep this classic van original. I then ground down the area on the starter that was not allowing any of these to fit my block on my 1967 Slant 6 225 automatic Dodge A108 van. Figured better/easier to alter the starter than the block. I also used some JB weld heat rated putty to fill areas on the starter that would allow water and dirt into the bell housing through gaps in the sheet metal spacer created by making the swap. It fit great and works like a dream. I'd say it was worth the hassle to not go back to the earlier Remy design. I thank those that were helpful or at the least trying.
Hoping these pics maybe helpful to someone else having this issue that is "Reading, Studying and Learning" to mount one of these starters.
View attachment 1715389144
Funny about forums, some people are helpful and others assume they know so much about what they are commenting about that they fail to understand the question. It's not always that "evident"
I had read all the forums and articles in advance of my posting for input here.
Most said they could bolt in a mini starter from a '88-'03 3.9 V6, 5.2 and 5.9 V8 RWD/4WD Dodge truck or van in 5 - 15 minutes like it was the easiest of OEM installs.
I couldn't find any other mention's of having this fit issue and needing to grind the block or the starter to allow for it to properly mount. I had looked at new and remanufactured china versions and they all had the same issue if I wanted to upgrade to the '88-'93 denso mini starter design.
A few "helpful suggestions" to my post indicated grinding could be the best solution. So I returned the store bought China product that forums said isn't worth your time or money. I then pulled a clean starter from a '90 5.9 Ram at the local salvage yard for $35 which would limit my loss if it didn't work and allow me to keep the original starter w/o core charge. I can now pass that on to any future owners wanting to rebuild and keep this classic van original. I then ground down the area on the starter that was not allowing any of these to fit my block on my 1967 Slant 6 225 automatic Dodge A108 van. Figured better/easier to alter the starter than the block. I also used some JB weld heat rated putty to fill areas on the starter that would allow water and dirt into the bell housing through gaps in the sheet metal spacer created by making the swap. It fit great and works like a dream. I'd say it was worth the hassle to not go back to the earlier Remy design. I thank those that were helpful or at the least trying.
Hoping these pics maybe helpful to someone else having this issue that is "Reading, Studying and Learning" to mount one of these starters.
View attachment 1715389144
