James-
BOP is a division of GM, as is Chevrolet. That aside, there is more involved
than the number of teeth in the flywheel. The starter has to physically bolt
to the engine. Many starters have completely different mounting schemes. I
have always used a Chevy Vega starter (old 4 cyl compact car) with a modified
aluminum nose from a Buick/Olds 215 starter. The Vega starter has the
correct Bendix, or drive gear, is smaller in diameter, & the modified nose
points the solenoid straight down to provide frame clearance in a MGB
conversion. I have this set up on my 4.2 Rover, using a spacer ring. I have
used/am using this with GM 215's as well. The original GM starter will not
clear the frame because of the solenoid location. The Rover starter might be
used on a GM engine if the nose diameter was reduced, or the opening in the
rear skirt of the block enlarged. The problem is, that the Rover starter is
so large, it is very difficult to replace without at least partially removing
the engine. This depends upon engine placement to some degree, of course.
Several sources can provide mini starters, gear reduction pieces, but as long
as I can buy a Vega starter with a lifetime warranty for under $50.00, I am
reluctant to pay the $250-300.00 price for a mini. Even factoring in the cost
of the modified nose at $50.00 plus nose from a salvage yard, or buying a
rebuilt Buick starter & throwing the main unit away, this is the low cost
solution. I normally get 75,000-100,000 from a rebuilt Vega, although I did
have one fail at 7,000 miles.
If you do buy a gear reduction unit, be sure it is guaranteed to come with
the correct shims. A garage mate of mine is on his 3rd set of shims, the unit
is still not correctly mounted, only engages sometimes, and sounds absolutely
horrible. Other units seem to perform very well.
Jim Stuart
James Nazarian Jr wrote:
> do BOP (buick/olds/pontiac) fall under GM?
> how many teeth are on a stock 63 Buick Special flywheel?
> assuming the two above questions will a starter that fits GM V8s with xxx
> tooth flywheel fit the 215?
>
> James Nazarian
> '71 B roadster
> '71 BGT ever so slowly turning into a V8
> '63 Buick 215
>
> "I sure wish I had a racer's budget, or are the racers just better at
> explaining expenses to the wife?"
> -Unknown
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