i have a 62 valiant, a canadian model, with the 904 and 170. i want to swap in a new ministarter but i am having some conflicting info come up. apparently my starter is likely to be a different style than the new one and wont work, as the canadian plant didnt switch something that the american ones did.
how can i tell? does any of this sound right?

The Canadian Slant-6 cars through 1966 use a direct-drive starter with a 9-tooth drive pinion, similar to the starter used on '60-'61 US slant-6s. The bolt pattern is the same as the 10-tooth '62-up US ('67-up Canada) gear-reduction starter, but the ring gear diameter is different. A gear-reduction starter that will work on a '62-up US car or a '67-up Canada car, whether it is a Chrysler-built starter or a late-model mini starter, will not work on a '62-'66 Canadian car.

If you are bound and determined (how come?) to have a mini starter on your Valiant, you can either swap in a US '62-'67 or Canadian '67 torque converter, or send me a PM and I will sell you my last custom-made 9-tooth drive pinion for the mini starter; then you swap this pinion into your mini starter in place of the 10-tooth drive pinion (it fits the legitimate/real Denso mini starters; no guarantee on whether it fits the Chinese knockoff "100 New!!!!!" junk)

You will also have to add a starter relay.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I am slowly building the car up as I have the funds. I will be swapping in a 1970 225 in a year or 2, I was hoping to get a lighter, better starter this year and then put it on the rebuilt 225 later, but I guess I will stick with the old iron tree stump for the meantime.

Is there any market for the early starters? I have a few here in unknown condition and the one in the car

You'll need a spacer ring to mate the '68-up engine to the '67-down torque converter...which will mean either getting a '67-down torque converter with the ring gear to mate with the gear-reduction starter, or keeping the present torque converter and either putting a 9-tooth pinion in a mini starter or keeping the present starter.
Lighter, yes. Better? I donno, the Prestolite ("Auto-Lite") MDT-6017 you have now should work fine, no?
Not much of a one! :-\

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

i have a complete pair 225 and 904 from a 70 duster, im also going to add a gear vendors unit as well. the mini starter should fit the 70 motor and trans as a drop in right?

the starter works ok, the old ignition isnt the best, so it takes a few rotations to fire, new MSD and distributor (and plugs and wires,) will hopefully make it a bit better. i am planning a turbo so i will go to a mini starter to avoid fitment issues anyway.

Yes, but your pushbuttons aren't going to talk to that '70 transmission.
HEI upgrade : better, cheaper, more reliable.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

imperial services cable shift kit for the trans, im going msd because i got a free 6A box, if it fails i can go to HEI

Already got? If not, get your order in ASAP; they are notorious for taking extremely long times to ship.

Also, be aware that early 170 cars like yours got the lowest-spec A904. You may want to beef it up if you're putting more engine in front of it.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

the old trans will not be beat on, its only got a 7 1/4 behind it, i will be going to the 70 trans before i do any real performance mods to the motor, with a good rebuild and new torque converter when i add the turbo

the first major step is going to an alterkation front end and an 8 1/4 rear with some better brakes, 9" single circuit manual drums dont give me any confidence, along wiith subframe connectors should get rid of some squeeks.

Better brakes as a first step: Very wise!

If you haven't already got the subframe connectors, I have a new high-grade set (these I bought for my '62 that I will realistically never get around to installing; send me a PM if you'd like to buy them and help me free up some shelf space.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.