The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-25-2018, 01:29 PM   #1
dmjlambert
Senior Member
 
dmjlambert's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,513
Starter brace for 350 SBC

OK, since there has never been a picture on the Internet or this forum of the starter brace installed on a 1969 Chevy truck (I have searched), I am trying to figure out how to fit it on my truck. Over on this thread we started talking about starter braces because I removed the outer bolt on my starter and rotated it away from my flex plate and AussieinNC reminded me I don't have a brace on the starter.

Here is what I ordered


Does it attach up here by the spark plug with the hole marked #1 in the picture? Attached to the starter to the bolt I marked #2? I was thinking that is hole on the engine for the heat shield (which I also have yet to install). Do both go on that one bolt hole? Is there another place? Here is a view from under the truck.
Name:  strtbrac.jpg
Views: 5586
Size:  72.4 KB

This is for my 1969 CST/10 with 350 engine, TH400 transmission, 168 tooth flex plate, stock starter with diagonal mounting holes.

Last edited by dmjlambert; 11-25-2018 at 01:37 PM. Reason: Added information about the truck
dmjlambert is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2018, 03:56 PM   #2
geezer#99
Registered User
 
geezer#99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Bowser
Posts: 13,495
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Try here.

https://www.google.com/search?tbm=is...24.qg5DRwcFgac
geezer#99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2018, 03:56 PM   #3
Boog
laying low
 
Boog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 12,888
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

It should only fit one way.
Attached Images
  
__________________
Boog
69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver
primer is finer
91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said.

I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross
Boog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2018, 04:41 PM   #4
CaptRMW
Custom Sport W/T
 
CaptRMW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tarpon Springs,Fl & Annapolis,Md. ....................Quaint drinking villages with a fishing problem
Posts: 898
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Starter brace attaches to the block with a 5/16" X maybe 1/2" long bolt. Your heat shield will be in a different hole and are 1/4" std thread.
Your starter will need the short brace not the long one pictured unless you swap places with the bolt with the stud on it.
CaptRMW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2018, 08:18 PM   #5
AussieinNC
Moderator
 
AussieinNC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Cherryville, NC
Posts: 2,152
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

There are multiple length starter braces available ...it all depends on what type of starter you have

The short version brace fits on the starters that have the extra threaded bolt end at the top of the starter body...see pic...

All braces fit to the top edge of the block itself with either a 5/16" or 3/8" x 1/2" cap screw. (Gettin old guys, memory is gettin cloudy)

Also a good idea is to glue a short piece of rubber hose to the bracket edge ti add insulation where the batter lead comes across.

BTW...location of heat shield bolt is also shown in this pic...

Attached Images
 
__________________
Family and country before all others...

2006 Chevy Silverado (Daily Driver)
2012 Chevy Equinox


Last edited by AussieinNC; 11-25-2018 at 10:45 PM.
AussieinNC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2018, 08:24 PM   #6
dmjlambert
Senior Member
 
dmjlambert's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,513
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

OK, good deal, thanks a bunch for all your responses. i will work on that.
dmjlambert is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2018, 10:10 PM   #7
KQQL IT
At the body shop.
 
KQQL IT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Land of fruits and nuts.
Posts: 5,108
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Used mine for a throttle return spring spot.
After putting a mini starter on.
Attached Images
 
__________________
" That didnt make it any newer "
" Dont antique the equipment "
KQQL IT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2018, 09:12 AM   #8
special-K
Special Order

 
special-K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,761
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

I have never had or seen one of these trucks with a starter brace before.
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed"

GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project)
GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling)
Tim

"Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman"

R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~
special-K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2018, 10:41 AM   #9
1972RedNeck
Registered User
 
1972RedNeck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Townsend MT
Posts: 1,714
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Didn't even know starter braces existed. Seems like a fix for a problem that doesn't exist - which I am kind of a fan of myself...
__________________
1966 F250 4X4 416
1972 K20 350 4 OTF
Quote:
Originally Posted by GASoline71 View Post
I once pulled an intake manifold for a cam swap... ended up with a full on drag car that ran in the 11's.
1972RedNeck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2018, 11:20 AM   #10
dmjlambert
Senior Member
 
dmjlambert's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,513
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Yes, it's a fix for a problem that does not exist, yet. I understand there are circumstances where it is a good idea to add one. Increasing the advance beyond the conservative factory specs and limiting amount of vacuum advance could lead to kickback during start.
dmjlambert is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2018, 02:06 PM   #11
CaptRMW
Custom Sport W/T
 
CaptRMW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tarpon Springs,Fl & Annapolis,Md. ....................Quaint drinking villages with a fishing problem
Posts: 898
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

It is a little like a spare tire that you have no use for if you never have a flat tire. The down side of not having a brace on your starter is when you realize you need one is possibly when the part of your block where the starter was bolted has now parted company with the block and you also need a new block. Anyone think the bean counters at GM would have spent the money for this part if they didn't think it was necessary?Cheap and easy insurance,
CaptRMW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2018, 02:59 PM   #12
special-K
Special Order

 
special-K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,761
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Yes, but I never heard of any of these trucks busting the block from kickback in all my years either. It 'could' happen I know... and I think I have seen such a case here once. I might get around to putting one on, but with the odds I have through experience I hope I don't forget to get around to getting one. Maybe they started using them once the bean counters took material and maybe strong alloys out of the block material.
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed"

GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project)
GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling)
Tim

"Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman"

R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~
special-K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2018, 03:33 PM   #13
jeffahart
Senior Member
 
jeffahart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,880
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Shave an inch off the top part of the L bracket so you can get to it with a box end from both sides. Once your motor is installed and fully dressed the bolt is a pain.


j
__________________
White K20
jeffahart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2018, 03:45 PM   #14
jeffahart
Senior Member
 
jeffahart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,880
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Here's my current housing, busted on the bottom hole. Most likely from over torque though out the years. I added the brace, I'll repair or replace the housing when I get a new motor. I'll probably leave the brace off after that.


j
Attached Images
 
__________________
White K20
jeffahart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2018, 09:51 PM   #15
Boog
laying low
 
Boog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 12,888
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Back in the day heat soak, carb drainage and high compression could some times take it's toll on the starter housing. Moreso in big blocks I think. Our 72 wrecker with 454 would occasionally kick back and bust the starter housing. The cheap aluminum nose cones from the rebuilders weren't near strong enough. We found a factory piece and had it rebuilt and stopped that problem. I don't remember if that engine had the brace or not.
__________________
Boog
69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver
primer is finer
91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said.

I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross
Boog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2018, 09:54 PM   #16
AussieinNC
Moderator
 
AussieinNC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Cherryville, NC
Posts: 2,152
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Pity you are in CA....I have a good bell housing here in North Carolina....

Once you fix the bolt hole issue, keep the brace on...

I have repaired over twenty of these broken blocks in past few years...usually requires a rebuild using a good block....all for the sake of this simple piece of steel and a bolt...

__________________
Family and country before all others...

2006 Chevy Silverado (Daily Driver)
2012 Chevy Equinox

AussieinNC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2018, 10:15 PM   #17
jeffahart
Senior Member
 
jeffahart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,880
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Quote:
Originally Posted by AussieinNC View Post
Pity you are in CA....I have a good bell housing here in North Carolina....

Once you fix the bolt hole issue, keep the brace on...

I have repaired over twenty of these broken blocks in past few years...usually requires a rebuild using a good block....all for the sake of this simple piece of steel and a bolt...

Thanks! I've got one eye open for one. If the price is right, I would rather have one sitting pretty before I pull the motor for replacement. One less thing thing to slow down the swap. I Probably should keep the brace on, like you say.


j
__________________
White K20
jeffahart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2018, 02:33 AM   #18
KQQL IT
At the body shop.
 
KQQL IT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Land of fruits and nuts.
Posts: 5,108
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffahart View Post
Thanks! I've got one eye open for one. If the price is right, I would rather have one sitting pretty before I pull the motor for replacement. One less thing thing to slow down the swap. I Probably should keep the brace on, like you say.


j
Would a sm465 bell work? From a 76 1ton??

I have one in central cal I'd donate and could get it over to 91752 Mira Loma next week.
__________________
" That didnt make it any newer "
" Dont antique the equipment "
KQQL IT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2018, 10:17 AM   #19
dirtyjim
Registered User
 
dirtyjim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: alvin, texas
Posts: 622
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

I've seen starter bolts snapped and nose cones broke from kickback. I've never seen a busted block firsthand. back 30 years ago when I was a teenager and raced a 72 c10 with a 454 we would run the ignition on a toggle stitch and get the engine spinning before turning the ignition on to prevent kickback when you was running high compressing and a lot of ignition timing. the ignition boxes and efi available now can retard the ignition timing during startup so its no longer needed
__________________
1967 C10 lwb two tone, 305 & rat fink style floor shifted 700r4, 20" steelies
2004 2500HD utility bed aka Brutus
dirtyjim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2018, 12:36 PM   #20
jeffahart
Senior Member
 
jeffahart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,880
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Quote:
Originally Posted by KQQL IT View Post
Would a sm465 bell work? From a 76 1ton??

I have one in central cal I'd donate and could get it over to 91752 Mira Loma next week.
Thanks for that. I'll send you a PM so I don't hijack the thread too badly. I get out to central CA quite a bit. I'm looking to do my motor Jan or Feb.

I think your bellhousing has a different casting. I need to look into it. Might just be non issues like clutch linkage boss on the bellhousing. Needed on later model but maybe can just ignore on the older linkage setup.

Thanks again, I'm going to look into it an send you a PM!


j
__________________
White K20
jeffahart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2018, 01:34 PM   #21
demian5
Registered User
 
demian5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Posts: 2,177
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Quote:
Originally Posted by dmjlambert View Post
Yes, it's a fix for a problem that does not exist, yet. I understand there are circumstances where it is a good idea to add one. Increasing the advance beyond the conservative factory specs and limiting amount of vacuum advance could lead to kickback during start.
How does timing relate to this?
__________________
"Work hard, use your vacation days."
1970 C15 GMC Long Bed
1986 C20 Scottsdale
1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2
Instagram: C10sofOC
demian5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2018, 02:20 PM   #22
KQQL IT
At the body shop.
 
KQQL IT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Land of fruits and nuts.
Posts: 5,108
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Quote:
Originally Posted by demian5 View Post
How does timing relate to this?
Too much timing lead. Creates high cylinder pressure that the starter cant over come.
__________________
" That didnt make it any newer "
" Dont antique the equipment "
KQQL IT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2018, 02:31 PM   #23
randy.powell
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bushwood, MD
Posts: 510
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

These can be found in the various parts catalogs we all get in the mail. there are a couple versions - BB and SB. Somewhere between $6 - $10. I bought one for my SB (original block to the truck). Do I need it? Don't know, but as much as I have invested in this truck, I think that's cheap insurance.
My two cents worth...
RP
randy.powell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2018, 02:45 PM   #24
A1971Blazer
Senior Member
 
A1971Blazer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 2,101
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

I just put a starter brace on my '70 K/5 along with a new Powermaster high torque OEM style starter from Summit....
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-3510
the starter was giving me problems...sounded terrible and actually locked up in the flex plate....
I figured for $20.00 it was cheap insurance.
I have seen the ear on a block where the outer starter bolt goes....broken off
End result for me.....it starts MUCH quieter and better now...just my 2¢...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-3965589...72.m2749.l2649
__________________
1967 C10 Step side
1968 C10 Step side
1970 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer
1972 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer
.............

Last edited by A1971Blazer; 11-27-2018 at 02:55 PM.
A1971Blazer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2018, 09:45 PM   #25
AussieinNC
Moderator
 
AussieinNC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Cherryville, NC
Posts: 2,152
Re: Starter brace for 350 SBC

Didnt know my little comment would get so much attention...

Maybe this next one will get the creative juices going....

Factory recommends a gap of 0.020 between top of starter pinion tooth and bottom of flex plate tooth valley...see pic....

I see so many starters without shims, grinding away with little or no clearance...

No clearance and no brace....eventual starter and ring gear failure...

Happy wrenching everyone...

Attached Images
 
__________________
Family and country before all others...

2006 Chevy Silverado (Daily Driver)
2012 Chevy Equinox

AussieinNC is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
brace, starter

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:33 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com