lovehamr Steve There are a couple of things to know about the starters
#1 The stock starters are good for stock motors in the 9-11 compression ratio to crank when cold, when hot this is a whole different problem. This starter will draw about 200-240 amps to spin over the motor cold, hot could go as high as 300 amps. Your car needs heavy duty battery cables to handle this load. You need good grounds also to the motor. IF the battery is mounted in the trunk add ground straps between the frame rail and the block of the car.
#2 Alignment of the bellhousing, If this is not centered to the block you are going to chewup the bendix gear on the starter and flywheel teeth. Lakewood bellhousing all need to be centered. I replaced my starter gear drive after 2 years because of off centered bellhousing.
#3 IMO gear reduction starters are the way to go. They are smaller and take up less room, easier to cover and protect from heat soaks with shields. Only draw about 140 amps max. Can start a 16-1 compression motor. You can hook it up with or without a old style starter soleniod. The only down side is they don't crank the motor over as fast as a OEM one.
#4 It's easier to adjust gear clearance on a mini starter than OEM one. You want a .030" air gap between the teeth of the drive and the bottom of the flywheel gap between the teeth. This will give you long lasting life of both parts. Some guys have had to machine the starter housing for the correct alignment. Tilton starter comes with shims and directions to install. Only issue I have had is getting the 3rd bolt into the starter between the starter and block, not alot of room. Allen head bolt works the best with blue loc-tite on the threads. IMO any mini with a small top half and gear reduction in the 4.0 with work great. You may have to fine tune how you startup the car with the different in cranking speed. I pump of the carb is all you need instead of a couple and not running fuel pump until motor is running. The other side note is the
oil pressure doesn't build up as fast from cranking the motor. Slower speed crank, slower pressure to motor. I use a accusump as a pre oiler. No problem with my motor. A bottle of lucas
oil suppliment will also help. It's a clinging
oil to help prevent metal to metal contact with starting. Good luck. 1 Vote for mini starter. How much room do you have to get to your starter? this may be another issue to deal with?? Rick L.