while looking around for a mini starter found this site,

http://www.bbbind.com/

find the e-catalog link , in the text box put in a common mini starter part number 17084, 17020,,, you get informative notes on what applications have heat shields, there is also a listing of what vehicles use that starter...
with in the site is a listing of the oem part numbers, and cross references to the aftermarket part numbers,
site has simular info for alternators....

the bbbind link has info on the NDenso starters
for simular info, but for the Remy built starters go to

http://www.remypowerproducts.com/

look for e catalog, middle right of page

for example if you want a starter from a 93 5.9L Ramcharger the NDenso number would be 17466, while the Remy number is 17181

any comments on comparisons of the NDenso / Remy units?

Well, I'm not sure what the part number is, but when I needed a starter for my Volare' I looked up one for a '93 Dakota with a V6. Denso starter, the O'Reilly brand is "Ultima".
Lifetime warranty!

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"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318

Oh, they'll warranty, you'll spend your lifetime changing them?

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Okay, I see your point. I do agree with you that sometimes you get crapola at parts stores.
Another option that I have used before is to take my bad starter to a shop that rebuilds starters and alternators.

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"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318

The only thing that goes wrong is the contacters in th solenoid section. They cost less than $5 and take only a few minutes to change so we gatherup the bad starters that people have around. from the newer Ddge trucks and pop new contacts in them . In fact i have one on my /6 rail right now. The Chrysler dealer gave me two bad ones for free and I fixed them.

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Don