I always thought 4 field coils aka 4 large phillips screws for the field coils meant high torque.i have 3 starters and all have the 4 screws. What is different so I can see if these are high torque.
Is it the numbers only that id them?. Thanks

 

You have to follow the wiring inside to see which is which:







- Eric

 

IIRC, there's a difference in case shape & the way the power tab connects to the solenoid. The high torque has the power tab closer to the back end & requires a spacer from the solenoid where the low torque has the tab closer to the nose and bolts directly to the solenoid.

 

^^^THIS!

The high torque starter is on the right.

 

A good way to remember this is:
Longer coils provide increased torque
Longer coils extend closer to the end cap, and the tail comes out further from the solenoid. Thus the need for a spacer or really long terminal on the solenoid.

The tail exit from the case is basically "less than a finger width" from the end or "more than a finger width" for easy tool-free measuring.

 

BUT, the starters illustrated in 12-36 and 12-38 above BOTH have the same case.

It depends on what you mean by "high torque" - Both of those are high torque compared to the low-compression 350 starter, but the HC 455 starter in 12-38 is higher torque than the HC 350 / LC 455 starter in 12-36.

- Eric

 

oh, the subtle details.
I never paid much attention beyond the tail exit position.
Or, the proper number, when looking for part for THE car.

I wonder if anyone has a tutorial explaining what to look for inside to spot the elusive hight torque high torque starter per 12-38 CSM illustration.

Evidently it's the only one with a round dot on the end of its coils lead. :-)

 

I just follow the wiring - which coils connect to the input tab, to ground, and to each other. Each pattern is unique.

- Eric

 

Thanks guys. I will now go thru my starter stash and see what I have. Merry Christmas everybody