What does the number on the starter block mean?
December 17th, 2014, 06:05 PM
#1
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What does the number on the starter block mean?
I am in the process of doing a starter swap and I noticed a number on the mounting block for the starter. Pretty sure it was 5521 but will have to check again. Just wondering what it means. For some reason this engine is giving me fits getting a starter mounted, The adjustment is way off no matter what starter I try. I end up having to take material out of the starter mount just to get the gear close.
December 17th, 2014, 06:42 PM
#2
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Oh yeah, the 5521 blocks require a special 5.5 HP 220V 1-phase starter.
But, seriously, no one knows what that number is for. Large characters, lightly and perfectly stamped. I suspect it was the line number of the blocks as they were machined, so that in case of issues, a range of numbers could be quarantined or whatnot. I have never seen it mentioned or used in normal practice. Julian date of the machining perhaps? If so then a block machined 01Jan1968 would be stamped 0018 or 8001
are you sure you don't have a rare Toronado of certain year smaller diameter flexplate? I have NEVER had ANY shimming necessary on an Olds starter. Factory or aftermarket starter?
But, seriously, no one knows what that number is for. Large characters, lightly and perfectly stamped. I suspect it was the line number of the blocks as they were machined, so that in case of issues, a range of numbers could be quarantined or whatnot. I have never seen it mentioned or used in normal practice. Julian date of the machining perhaps? If so then a block machined 01Jan1968 would be stamped 0018 or 8001
are you sure you don't have a rare Toronado of certain year smaller diameter flexplate? I have NEVER had ANY shimming necessary on an Olds starter. Factory or aftermarket starter?
December 17th, 2014, 07:01 PM
#3
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Oh yeah, the 5521 blocks require a special 5.5 HP 220V 1-phase starter.
But, seriously, no one knows what that number is for. Large characters, lightly and perfectly stamped. I suspect it was the line number of the blocks as they were machined, so that in case of issues, a range of numbers could be quarantined or whatnot. I have never seen it mentioned or used in normal practice. Julian date of the machining perhaps? If so then a block machined 01Jan1968 would be stamped 0018 or 8001
are you sure you don't have a rare Toronado of certain year smaller diameter flexplate? I have NEVER had ANY shimming necessary on an Olds starter. Factory or aftermarket starter?
But, seriously, no one knows what that number is for. Large characters, lightly and perfectly stamped. I suspect it was the line number of the blocks as they were machined, so that in case of issues, a range of numbers could be quarantined or whatnot. I have never seen it mentioned or used in normal practice. Julian date of the machining perhaps? If so then a block machined 01Jan1968 would be stamped 0018 or 8001
are you sure you don't have a rare Toronado of certain year smaller diameter flexplate? I have NEVER had ANY shimming necessary on an Olds starter. Factory or aftermarket starter?
The engine and flexplate are out of a Chevy pickup. I bought the truck for the engine. It must have had a diesel in it and had it changed over to gas. Not sure what the engine came out of or what parts they used to make the swap.
December 18th, 2014, 06:02 AM
#6
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Location: Margate, England
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Oh hang on, do you mean the diesel starters are different to gasoline engine starters?. I would get a gasoline flexplate in that case.
Roger
Last edited by rustyroger; December 18th, 2014 at 06:04 AM.
December 18th, 2014, 07:21 AM
#7
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
i found this on my 72 when I rebuilt my starter 2 years ago. I also,wondered what it meant.
December 18th, 2014, 12:33 PM
#10
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Found the pic I was looking for earlier. Here's the stamping from the block under my starter.
My starter had no shims when removed, and went back in the same way without any issues.
I'm leaning toward this being a production date code. My car was built at Lansing in April which is the 4th month and completed on the 11th day. That would be close to the same time the engine would have been produced so I think the 407 relates to production date. I'm thinking that 5 was the "Lansing" Motor division that built it. Any thoughts?
My starter had no shims when removed, and went back in the same way without any issues.
I'm leaning toward this being a production date code. My car was built at Lansing in April which is the 4th month and completed on the 11th day. That would be close to the same time the engine would have been produced so I think the 407 relates to production date. I'm thinking that 5 was the "Lansing" Motor division that built it. Any thoughts?
Last edited by Allan R; December 18th, 2014 at 12:36 PM.
December 19th, 2014, 03:07 PM
#13
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Posts: 7,286
Found the pic I was looking for earlier. Here's the stamping from the block under my starter.
My starter had no shims when removed, and went back in the same way without any issues.
I'm leaning toward this being a production date code. My car was built at Lansing in April which is the 4th month and completed on the 11th day. That would be close to the same time the engine would have been produced so I think the 407 relates to production date. I'm thinking that 5 was the "Lansing" Motor division that built it. Any thoughts?
My starter had no shims when removed, and went back in the same way without any issues.
I'm leaning toward this being a production date code. My car was built at Lansing in April which is the 4th month and completed on the 11th day. That would be close to the same time the engine would have been produced so I think the 407 relates to production date. I'm thinking that 5 was the "Lansing" Motor division that built it. Any thoughts?
December 19th, 2014, 04:33 PM
#14
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Nope - it's 5407. The camera flash just makes it look like a 6. The 5 is not stamped very well at the top, but I know for a fact it is a 5. The bottom part of the 5 is not closed loop as a 6 would be.
December 19th, 2014, 05:15 PM
#15
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Posts: 7,286
Here are a few others
[IMG]
9143_SMW403_130StarterBossStamp0934_zpsbcd745a3.jpg
7024_70-W31_ENGINE_CN12Starterboss0414_zps7d21e4e4.jpg
4015_Block-ID_Starter-RS4004_zpsb8a5a042.jpg
5070_76-350_BLOCK_CN33-3030-at-Starter_zps2c6ff129.jpg
7009_Pad_ENGINE_CN05a0346onstarterboss_zps1cbfdbb1.jpg
7198_74-455_P11BLOCK_CN6aStarterBoss3316_zps919e9bac.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]
9143_SMW403_130StarterBossStamp0934_zpsbcd745a3.jpg
7024_70-W31_ENGINE_CN12Starterboss0414_zps7d21e4e4.jpg
4015_Block-ID_Starter-RS4004_zpsb8a5a042.jpg
5070_76-350_BLOCK_CN33-3030-at-Starter_zps2c6ff129.jpg
7009_Pad_ENGINE_CN05a0346onstarterboss_zps1cbfdbb1.jpg
7198_74-455_P11BLOCK_CN6aStarterBoss3316_zps919e9bac.jpg[/IMG]
December 19th, 2014, 08:33 PM
#16
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Location: Lehigh Valley Pa
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BTW the new high torque mini starter is in after taking quite a bit out of the mounting plate. The last starter was dieing because of heat issues. Would work fine when cold but have big troubles when hot. This should solve the problem.
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