1969 Starter

[Tom H.]

Re: 1969 Starter

I would love to take credit for being right, but like I said before. I would always take Joe L's answer over mine. All I have to go on are the books I have. The NCRS guide and Alan Colvin's Corvette by the numbers book. I would like to know the real answer though so I can correct my books.

[D S.]

Re: 1969 Starter

Tom, I wish someone actually knew! It's not an issue of who is right but what is specifically correct. So far no one has mentioned what the 1968-1969 JG states. Does it need a revision? I don't have a copy of that JG but I do have the 1970-1972 JG.

I'm leaning toward the 338 based on those who have responded who own original 1969 Corvettes with 350/300s with TH400 regardless of build dates. I'm just surprised that there is not a definitive answer particularly since the starters are judged on correct part numbers and dates. Because the 1969 model year was months longer than normal production did that play into the equation making both the 338 and 427 correct? If so, what approximate VIN date was considered the cut-off?

[Erv M.]

Re: 1969 Starter

Judging manual has a disclaimer that some overlap of starter motor numbers in late or early production cars may appear. Then there is a chart for small block auto cars:

1968 1108338
1969 1108427

However with the above post it seems apparent that the 338 was used during most of the production cycle.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1969 Starter

338 is correct.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Starter

The GM #1108427 starter would have been equipped with the starter nose shown below. Otherwise, it would have been the same as the GM #1108338. Has anyone ever seen a 1969 Corvette with THM-400 with a starter with a nose like this, original or not?

Also, has anyone ever tried to install a starter with a nose like this on a 1969 Corvette with THM-400?

Plenty of these were installed on starters for 1970 Corvettes; it's 1969 that's the issue here. Please note that although this nose is aluminum, it is NOT the same aluminum nose used for 1963-68 small blocks, 65 L-78, 1967-69 L-88 or 1970-72 ZR-1.

Keep in mind that this nose was likely painted black on original starters so one has to look beyond just looking for aluminum material.