12 volt Starter on a R7 Block

[wrz]

Will a 12 volt starter work on a 7R block? The lower water inlet will need to be changed too because of the later ones had a notch in them for clearance.
Wm

[Barnyard]

William, yes it will work as long as you change the water inlet as well. There is no other difference in how it mounts.

[Crimson Tim]

Though many people continue to use their original 6v starter after a 12v conversion. Just don’t go letting it crank for extended periods of time.

[Jim Becker]

TheR8 block had more clearance for the 12-volt starter. I have never tried it myself, but some others have reported that they have put a 12-volt starter on an earlier block. It may be that earlier blocks are right on the edge of the starter fitting. Whether the starter will fit may depend on which pattern was used for the individual part.

[wrz]

The starter is installed and working fine. The only modification was that below the oil filter was a round pop out in the casting which I ground off so it was smooth and even with the side of the block. My guess was it was there as part of the casting process. The clearance between the starter and the block is very little but it does not touch and the water inlet housing has to be changed.
Wm

[Jim Becker]

. . . below the oil filter was a round pop out in the casting which I ground off . . .

That was probably at the bottom of the big retaining bolt that holds the cover on the oil filter. As long as you didn't break through into the oil return passage, you are OK.

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