1956 Starter Bolts

[John C.]

Hi,

I have ordered the 1956 Aim Manual and I also found this image online and it is not correct for a 225 HP motor. Hopefully the Aim I ordered will include the correct motor.

In any case, I have ordered a starter bolt kit which consists of (2) "AP" headmark 3/8-16x1" bolts, (1) "WB" headmark 3/8-16x1 1/2" bolt & (3) lock washers.

I get the two short bolts, but why is the longer bolt coming in from the back and how is it fastened to the starter?

Confusion!

Thanks!

John

Starter.jpg

[Mike E.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

That hole in the starter housing is threaded . I didn't look carefully at the illustration--looks like 57 to me with the 7664 starter. What did you see wrong with it?

[John C.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

Hi Mike....I have 7627 starter and the hole in the starter housing is not threaded.....the illustration is not of the correct engine. Hopefully a 1956, 225 HP illustration would be of more help.

Thanks!

John

[John C.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

Ok....I see a problem, no thanks to an incorrect AIM image.....the bolt kit that I ordered is for a manual transmission....missed that.

They don't have a bolt kit for an FG (auto), but all it would probably take is to replace the "WB" headmark 3/8-16 x 1 1/2" bolt with another "AP" headmark 3/8-16 x 1" bolt.

I did notice that my Engine to PG adapter:3836142, has a stud in the middle position...don't know if that stock and should be used or simply replace it with the "AP" headmark 3/8-16 x 1" bolt.

I really need a correct AIM drawing....hope the one I ordered has it.

John

[Rod K.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

Unfortunately, the AIM is as it appeared at the end of 1957 production, hence showing the '57 engine configuration. By reading the revision history you can sometimes figure out what went before. In the case of "Redrawn and Revised" the changes aren't recorded so there's no way to see what it was. The AIM section on your PG option may show something different from the page posted, but again, it will be for the end of '57 production so may not be of any help.

[John C.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

Hi Rod,

Oh jeeze, that is somewhat depressing news....I wish I could find a photo of the starter area of a stock or restored '56 engine assembly to determine if the stud was installed from the factory.

In any case, thank you for the AIM information.

John

[Tom P.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

The 55-56 and 57-later starter bolt arrangement was totally different---------------------regardless of pass car, Corvette, manual tranny or PG.
Thus, a 55-6 and 57-later bell housing and starter noses were different.

ALL 3 holes for the starter bolts on a 55-6 bell housing are threaded. Thus, the 3 bolts come through the nose of 55-6 starters and are screwed into the bell housing. I THINK (been waaaaaaaaaaay too long) some, maybe all, 55-6 bell housings had a threaded stud in the top hole and a nut was maneuvered (with difficulty) into place to attach to the stud.
The TOP hole of a 57-later bell housing is NOT THREADED. Thus, the middle and lower starter bolts come through the 57-later starter nose and screw into the bell housing and the TOP starter bolt comes through from the back of the bell housing and screws into just ONE threaded hole in 57-later starters.
The 55-6 and 57-later starter noses and solenoid plunger linkages are also different. The linkage on 55-6 starters is open/exposed and the linkage on 57-later starters is enclosed in the starter nose.

In the past, long before car people became so obsessed with numbers, correctness, year model configurations, etc, etc, etc, it was not uncommon for the UPPER threaded starter bolt hole of a 55-6 bell housing to be drilled out so that a 57-later starter could be installed---------------------yes, I'm guilty of this. A 57-later starter is easier to come by, and is particularly more desireable if it is a hi-torque version.

[John C.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

Hi Tom,

Yes, I appreciate your response and agree with everything except the possible location of the stud. I have a Corvette and a passenger car PG to engine adaptor and as opposed to the top position, they both have studs in the middle threaded hole position where the road draft tube would be attached. Don't know if that is correct, but that's where they were located on the two adaptors.

Thank you so much for confirming at least the presence of studs as opposed to bolts in at least one of the threaded bolt holes.


John

[Tom P.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

Well, I wasn't 100% sure about studs and stud location, it's been a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time since I've removed/replaced a genuine 55-6 version starter on a 55-6 bell housing. But I was, and still am, 100% sure about the difference in threaded/non-threaded holes in 55-6 vs 57-later bell housings (I have examples of both versions on the shelf, and I went and checked before posting my earlier reply) and starter noses. And for sure, I did remember for sure that on the 55-6 version, one of the bolts (or nuts) was a real aggrivation to install/remove. That's probably why the change was made to the 57-later bell housing/starter nose.

[John C.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

Hi Tom,

Absolutely agree, my 1956 PG to engine adaptor has three threaded holes and the starter nose has three unthreaded holes to allow a bolt or stud to pass through.


I guess my only question now, was a stud used from the factory and/or will it pass NCRS judging. If not, I can simply use a bolt.


Thanks so much! 👍🏻


John

[Tom P.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

As I mentioned above, it's just been TOO MANY years since I delt with a true 55-6 starter/bell housing attachment. What I do remember, again as I mentioned, is that the 57--later starter was more prefered----------------------back in the days when function was more important than numbers and originality.

[David B.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

John,
What you call an "adaptor" is referred to by Chevrolet as a Flywheel housing. The 2 housings you have with studs are correct. The 56 Corvette Production Book used on the assembly line in 56 refers to this stud as 3/8 - 16 - 24 x 1 1/16. The part number was 103195 or optional usage part #38336528. They are both the same size. They are listed as being used for starter assembly 1107627. The powerglide equipped 56-57 Corvettes have been grossly overlooked over the years along with a lot of misinformation probably due to this fact. When you install your 1107627 starter, be sure to use the 56 starter brace #3721553 (not the 57 version) using 5/16-18 x 1/2 bolt to block. Another area of misinformation. Because the flywheel housing was a casting that often would crack this brace was VERY important. As an added sidebar: I personally believe this brace was used only on powerglide equipped cars for this express reason. Finally, don't be disappointed if you do not get a 56 AIM manual similar to 1957. The 56 Production book referred to previously was probably used on the line most of if not all 1956.

[John C.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

John,
What you call an "adaptor" is referred to by Chevrolet as a Flywheel housing. The 2 housings you have with studs are correct. The 56 Corvette Production Book used on the assembly line in 56 refers to this stud as 3/8 - 16 - 24 x 1 1/16. The part number was 103195 or optional usage part #38336528. They are both the same size. They are listed as being used for starter assembly 1107627. The powerglide equipped 56-57 Corvettes have been grossly overlooked over the years along with a lot of misinformation probably due to this fact. When you install your 1107627 starter, be sure to use the 56 starter brace #3721553 (not the 57 version) using 5/16-18 x 1/2 bolt to block. Another area of misinformation. Because the flywheel housing was a casting that often would crack this brace was VERY important. As an added sidebar: I personally believe this brace was used only on powerglide equipped cars for this express reason. Finally, don't be disappointed if you do not get a 56 AIM manual similar to 1957. The 56 Production book referred to previously was probably used on the line most of if not all 1956.

Hi David,

Yes......exactly what I was looking for.......thank you so much!

I'll have to be careful when ordering as I have noticed that some replacement parts listed as '56 are actually '57s.....like the starter bolt kit f'rinstance.

John

[John C.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

As I mentioned above, it's just been TOO MANY years since I delt with a true 55-6 starter/bell housing attachment. What I do remember, again as I mentioned, is that the 57--later starter was more prefered----------------------back in the days when function was more important than numbers and originality.

Hi Tom,

Thank you so much for your help.

John

[David B.]

Re: 1956 Starter Bolts

John,
I hit the wrong key when giving you the size of stud, it should read: 3/8 - 16 - 24 x 1 7/16. My mistake!