Hey people i have a three year old mini starter on my 383 and it just began to start not fully disengaging. It will start the engine and then you can hear it get hit by the torque convertor gear for a split second. This just started the other day and now it does it every time.

I went underneath and the starter is not loose or the mounting tabs are not broken in any way.

If i am really careful i can hit the ignition just enough to fire the engine with out the starter hitting the teeth but i have to try hard.

Does this mean the starter is toast?? Seems like it didn't last very long.

Hello Stu, I've been busy sharpening drill bits for the CIA. Since it is tight/nothing appearing to be loose/broken Likely the next step would be to pull it & fire it up on the bench & see if you can duplicate the bendix retraction hanging up for a split second

I would think the return spring is bad, maybe?? Is stuff like that even worth trying to fix or just get a new one?

Bro I ain't sure if it'd be cost effective or not. I'd pull that baby out & see what develops (no headers right!)

No, I have the TTI headers so taking it out is no fun... :P

It sounds like he starter clutch drive is going bad because as soon as the eng starts it should freewheel so the eng cant drive the starter. Even if the starter solenoid spring is weak the starter roller one way clutch should not let the eng run the starter if the solenoid return spring dont push the starter clutch out fast enough. Course the other option is if the starter and flywheel/converter teeth are misaligned and draging. Ron

That happened to my mini,,, I pulled it out and found it just needed cleaning,, There was a small oil leak from the V cover and over time it soaked the starter ..opened it up cleaned out all the oil ,, Fixed the leak and works fine now...

Thank you for the advice!! I will give that a try and see what happens.

I have started looking into replacing my mini starter if i have to and i see there are all kinds of them out there now. Some range from $100 to $500!

Which ones do you all like to use??

A bump at least, but if I was pulling header to change starter I wouldn't clean , see what is best from the board and buy new, my luck has always stunk, but I bought mine from 440 source in 2007, works great, not sure there quality today parts, but a little gamble of your time to try repair and hope you don't need a new,

Been running an old MP mini, w/heat shield for many moons...

Zero issues...

And yeah, it's underneath some Hooker's...

I run a Denso starter from Mancini Racing. It was more expensive than the mini starters advertised elsewhere but it has been totally reliable. It even cranked the engine over fine when I had almost 11.0 to 1 compression.

Thank you!!! I will look into that as its such a PIA to take off the headers to change out the starter i want one that will last.

I actually have a Mopar V/6 truck mini-starter on my sons 383 Dart and its been on it since 1996 with no problems. On my 63 I have a Power Master mini-srarter which has been on it since I put it on the road in 2006 with no problems at all. Ron

Both of my mini starters came from the parts store, I asked for one for a 1990 dakota truck. Both are easily over 10 years old with never any problem, both cars have TTI headers with no heat shields.

Good luck

This is the one on my 440, I drove the car last night, drove both of my cars last night, it was a great night air wise.

Stu my 440 has a reman from Advance.the 2 inch TTIs and shiled lock it up close.Been on since the 90s.My kid used one from 440 Source in the 300 413 with headers,It was on at least 7 years when he sold the car.I use like 99 or so Ram 360 minis as they are the heavest.Rocky

I got mine from FBO (www.4secondsflat.com) so far excellent, had it 4 years or so... I don't know if he still sells them though...

Wow that's a great price!! Thanks Rick!


Wonder what is the difference between that $63 starter and the $400 starters to warrant such a big change in price??

Stu dont know what the differece is except if its clockable.Mine was 75 bucks when I bought it in the 90s exchange.IIRC 440 Source my kid bought was around 60 bucks.Rocky