I've never posted on a forum before so be nice. I'm in process of fully restoring a 68 W200 4 door truck (x-military). I'm installing Aussiespeed headers and having an issue with the front header running smack into the starter. I've heard discussion about using the early 90's 5.2 starter instead of the large original. My local starter shop says he doesn't know of a mini starter with a 3 bolt housing like the one I have. Did most of the starters guys are replacing have 2 bolt housings? This military truck has caused many issues with not matching the standard 68 W200 truck.[/img][/list]

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68 W200 225 Crew Cab
98 2500 V10 Quad Cab

The front half? Not the rear is hitting? Then I am guessing you have a low starter mount location. Is the starter down close to the oil pan level? Most slant 6 's have the high mount starter location. And, yes our starters have 2 bolts in them. I'm sure someone will chime in with more info for you.

Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Yes it's down low. The rear header is just barely touching the solenoid. I think a small amount of tapping with a hammer will give me the clearance I need for the rear header. I have a couple pictures but don't know how to post them.

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68 W200 225 Crew Cab
98 2500 V10 Quad Cab

Welcome here.

It's not enough just to physically clear the starter -- the pipe running that close to the starter/solenoid is going to cook it to death in short order.

There might or might not be an off-the-shelf mini starter option; how certain are you that your starter has three bolts holding it on, and not actually two? Please post pics of your starter and its mount.

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

As Dan said be sure it has 3 bolts instead of 2. If it has 2 the starter I call the super mini from a 2005-2008 5.7L with manual transmission may help. They are really small.

Rick

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

It is for sure 3 bolts. I'll post pictures as soon as I get it figured out how to.

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68 W200 225 Crew Cab
98 2500 V10 Quad Cab

Not sure if this worked or not put here are the pics.

[img]2016136F[/img]2016136F

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68 W200 225 Crew Cab
98 2500 V10 Quad Cab

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68 W200 225 Crew Cab
98 2500 V10 Quad Cab

Looks like my photo size is a bit large. I'll try a new one. This is what I'm trying to put together. All blue printed and balanced.

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68 W200 225 Crew Cab
98 2500 V10 Quad Cab

Hey, that engine looks terrific!

Interesting that you've got a 3-bolt starter on there. May we please see the "business end" of the starter? Take it off and show us the part that mates with the starter mounting pad you've shown us in your first pic.

None of the standard production mini starters will directly replace that direct-drive starter even if it were a 2-bolt item; it'll have to be a custom solution.

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

Hmmmm. That looks remarkably like a GMC 4x4 starter/bellhousing from the same era. (cept the GMC starter is on the other side) GMC quit that type of starter/bellhousing in 1973 . Are you using a NP 420 trans and NP 205 trans case?

You might think about a later Bell (with the same style bell mounts) that can take a modern mini starter.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

…but even then, it'll take a custom-built/modified mini starter to work with this flywheel.

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

Wow, sounds like the military version got me again. I'm thinking it would be easier to modify the headers or return these and build customs.

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68 W200 225 Crew Cab
98 2500 V10 Quad Cab

In the end it will be easier to go to a later bell, flywheel and mini starter.

.........but if you are restoring (headers and 4 barrel make me think not)....

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

How many tubes do you need to move? You can put a pretty big dent in a tube without hurting flow any. Clearance it enough to get header wrap in there and call it a day.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.