Ls3 starter issues

[niicco]

Installing a ls3 with QuickTime bellhousing in my 77 trans am. When I went to the install the starter part no. 12617229 I’m getting a gap of 1/8 between the starter and the bellhousing.....

Shouldn’t the starter sit flush with the bellhousing ?

[badazz81z28]

Installing a ls3 with QuickTime bellhousing in my 77 trans am. When I went to the install the starter part no. 12617229 I’m getting a gap of 1/8 between the starter and the bellhousing.....

Shouldn’t the starter sit flush with the bellhousing ?

Not necessarily. As long as the starter is for a LS engine, you’re fine. The starter is located with the knurls on the bolts engaging the holes in the block, not the bell housing.

[badazz81z28]

Btw, you got the heat shield for that? I have an extra

[niicco]

Btw, you got the heat shield for that? I have an extra

i did notice the knurls on the bolt and they do slid into the block... just wanted to double check with you guys. I don't have the heat shield was planning on ordering one. i got the motor out of a wrecked camaro and it didn't come with one... you always have some really nice parts for sale maybe we can package something up

[badazz81z28]

it’s new, ordered the wrong one for my Z28 starter

i did notice the knurls on the bolt and they do slid into the block... just wanted to double check with you guys. I don't have the heat shield was planning on ordering one. i got the motor out of a wrecked camaro and it didn't come with one... you always have some really nice parts for sale maybe we can package something up

[Josh@Ridetech]

My MSD starter does the same thing. Everything looks good measurement wise so I'd say you're running into the same thing. I haven't started mine yet but everything points to it being just fine!

[G Crabtree]

I had a 1/8" gap when I was installing the GM starter in my LS3. I ended up shaving the upper part of the plastic shield GM provides that attaches to the motor with a single bolt and surrounds the starter head as it goes through the bell housing to the flywheel. When I shaved off the upper part of the plastic shield, the starting bolted up tight. Go Figure!

[pannetron]

There *is* a slight difference among early and late LS starters. This info is straight from Ross McCombs who designed the QT bell housing. Early QuickTime bell housings were designed for early (LS1, LS2) starters. Later bell housings have an oval vs round opening for the starter. When I used an LS3 starter on my build in 2014, it didn't fit quite right. Switching to an LS1 starter made it fit perfectly. I seem to recall that the difference was about 1/8".

[tbal]

I’m having this same issue.

LSA, the QuickTime 8020 bell housing plate hits the starter. Change it for a ls1 starter and should be good? Do you have a part number to use?

Thanks

[79 Camaro]

Just note on the LS starters. Early models had mounting ears that had one long mounting lug and one short mounting lug. Later design has the longer mounting lugs for both bolts. The early model starters with the short mounting lug have broken and damaged the block.