stagered starter help

[fast90mini]

We just built a new engine and put it in the car, bolted it all up and noticed it takes a staggered mount starter, I went to the local parts store a bought a stock starter and I don't have the room to get it in, the oil pan kick out wont allow you to install the inner starter bolt. Is there a another way other than pulling the pan off to get the starter bolts in? The block is not drilled for a strait across bolt starter just the staggered starter mount. We are also using the z28 smaller flywheel, I wonder if it will match up? thanks

[Driver50x]

It is not too hard to drill and tap one of those blocks to accept a straight mount starter.

[sj valley dave]

We used a CSR mini starter for a staggered block 377" deal for a few years with no problems. We used the smaller 153 tooth flexplate..

[mudeater18]

Using a starter as your jig get a 5/16 drill bit about a foot long and you can drill and tap a new hole without removing the pan. Just make sure the starter is square with the back of the block. It's not bad at all.

[billy5]

i cut about 1/4 inch of the threads off of a stock bolt and put it thru the starter then stuck it up in place then im able to reach above the oil pan kickout with a wrench to tighten it....the outside bolt is fine..

[fast90mini]

thanks for the help, going to try some of the ideas Saturday, thanks again for being helpful.

[fast90mini]

We ended up drilling a new hole for a strait across bolt mini starter, worked well, thanks