Mini-Starters

Most auto supply sources show year breaks like '95-'98, '99-'03, etc. but other sources like 440 Source show one-size-fits-all. What's the difference?

This is for a custom installation (early Hemi adapter), not an original installation.

I know there are two one has more power.I run one for a 99 360 in my 12.5 440.Been in for close to 20 years.Still cranks like a /6.Mine Advance reman.My son ran a 440 source in his 413 for like 4 years.Still great when he sold the car.Rocky

IIRC, One was shorter then the other. Maybe have a parts store bring them both out and compare.

I believe on the newer ones, the connector for the wire that goes to the starter relay is different.

I think this is the main difference. Which doesn't really matter in most of our "old car" applications anyway because the plastic connector comes off. Just attach it to the studs.

doesn't the newer ones have a spade terminal for the solenoid vs the stud connection on the earlier ones ?

They all physically fit the same with the same bolt pattern but the electrical connections were different over the years. There might also be internal differences. I have a handful of mini starters sitting on the shelf and they are all slightly different from each other but they all bolt on.

Mid 90's they went from a stud connection to a wire plug-in. Do a search on Ebay for Dodge Dakota starter by each year and you'll see the difference. I want to say around 96 is when they changed them????

As far as the connectors go '99 was the year they went to
one stud, and one plug-in connector.

A few years prior to that, they had two studs.

A few years prior to that, they had two studs with a plastic adapter bolted on...which had two more studs in it...often the plastic adapter had to be removed for retrofit.

Only reason I can remember '99 is several years ago I had to find the connector for the plug in style, due to MP selling the '99-2001 type for big block apps

I bought a random one off amazon for my big block project. It ended up being the kind with an extension bolted to it. The extension hit my block so I had to pop off the plastic cover and unbolt it. The regular battery and trigger studs are still on there but they are very short so I had to install a seperate insulated stud instead of using my starter as the positive batt stud for my remote battery. On my last mini starter with remote battery I was able to stack a few ring terminals on it no problem.

I wound up ordering one of these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Starter-for-Chr...44/252920419051

Won't know if it works until my adapter gets here Monday. For $37 if it doesn't work I can just shelve it.

i bought one of those CHEEPIES of ebay(cant remember seller)i had to take it off and put it on another car then another car,i cant remember how long ago it was but that thing just wont die.one of the cars had a 13.5-1 comp. big block.

There are short and long versions. Mopardude318 ran into this when installing dougs 453 headers on a SB. He had the longer style which interfered and found a shorter version. Don't know if it was a V8 vs 6 deal or what. It was on FABO when he had the issue.

If you want the "miniest" of the mini starter with the actual bolt on terminals. I believe 97-98 Dakota with 318. Is the one ya want. I have had mini starters that didn't clear the brace between auto trans and engine block. But this one did. Was on a 73 318/904 challenger