PMGR starter differences

Ok, I'm planning to upgrade my DD starter to the PMGR, and I see a lot of info. A LOT. From my understanding...you can either use the factory 94-95 PMGR TBI starter, the 96-up Vortec starter, or the NBS 99-whatever 4.3 liter TRUCK starter. Assuming that's accurate.....are any of the PMGR starters better than the other? Heading to our local pick-a-part this weekend. I know they have a lot of 4.3 Blazers and stuff....and a handful of Vortec vehicles. Wanna get the gooderest one I can, and I'm ordering the 12338064 bolts tomorrow. TIA!

Hmm..

Application:
1994 C1500 5.7 - Remy 96206
1994 C3500 7.4 - Remy 96206
1996 C1500 5.7 - Remy 96206
1996 C3500 7.4 - Remy 96206
1999 Silverado 4.3 - Remy 96215

Unsure what the difference is when you get into the GMT800 4.3 starters, haven't tried one, no idea if it actually fits, haven't heard that it does.

But the Remy part # for a new PMGR is the same between TBI OR Vortec, small block OR big block.

You want one that's good? Get a brand new one. Yeah it's Chinesium but it's better than finding out you got a bunk starter from the boneyard. The brand new Remy is $100. (So is the AC Delco.)

Also while boneyard hunting you may discover a number of Vortec GMT400's still came with a direct drive starter, or one got swapped in "back in the day" when someone took their gear reduction unit in for rebuild and got quoted a crazy price.

Richard

someotherguy said:

Hmm..

Application:
1994 C1500 5.7 - Remy 96206
1994 C3500 7.4 - Remy 96206
1996 C1500 5.7 - Remy 96206
1996 C3500 7.4 - Remy 96206
1999 Silverado 4.3 - Remy 96215

Unsure what the difference is when you get into the GMT800 4.3 starters, haven't tried one, no idea if it actually fits, haven't heard that it does.

But the Remy part # for a new PMGR is the same between TBI OR Vortec, small block OR big block.

You want one that's good? Get a brand new one. Yeah it's Chinesium but it's better than finding out you got a bunk starter from the boneyard. The brand new Remy is $100. (So is the AC Delco.)

Also while boneyard hunting you may discover a number of Vortec GMT400's still came with a direct drive starter, or one got swapped in "back in the day" when someone took their gear reduction unit in for rebuild and got quoted a crazy price.

Richard

Click to expand...

Thanks for the numbers. Yes, supposedly 99-up 4.3 truck starters fit. I priced one for a 2000 Silverado 4.3 and the bolt pattern looks the same. Watched a couple Yoo Toobs....blah blah.

I have the AC Delco new replacement starter. It does work well, but my original heat shield doesn't fit on it. It came from Korea.

GM has a half-dozen PMGR starter designs. Some of those designs fit SBC and BBC; and may have 153-tooth, or 168-tooth flywheel/flexplate housings.

In general, if the starter bolts are directly across from each other, it's a small, 153-tooth starter housing. If the bolts are at a diagonal from each other, it's for the bigger 168-tooth ring gear.

Back when Remy was still a viable concern, they issued a bulletin about upgrading from the old direct-drive starters to the PG260-series of PMGR "mini-starters". See attachment below. Both of my trucks have the PG260 starters. The '97 K2500 7.4L probably came with a PG260; the '88 K1500 5.7L was converted years ago.

I brutalized the OEM direct-drive heat shield from the '88 direct-drive starter to fit the PG260; and it's been fine ever since.




NOTE: the white wire on the solenoid of the PG260 starter was intended for use with a "Ford solenoid" on the fender, to eliminate problems with insufficient power on the purple wire to the "S" terminal--a common problem with older GM vehicles. However, that "Ford solenoid" trick DOES NOT WORK on the PG260; it causes the starter to drag and grind when the key is released from "Start" back to "Run". The white wire was eliminated after about a week, and the Ford solenoid was removed in favor of the OEM wiring method.

I have zero clue what starter and bolts my truck would take after looking at all of this info

scott2093 said:

I have zero clue what starter and bolts my truck would take after looking at all of this info

Click to expand...

Study that Remy TSB link shurkey provides in his post #5; it's the best, most reliable available.
Bet dollars to donuts you'll need a pair of GM 12338064 bolts and a starter to fit a 2003 Astro.
The correct bolts are an absolute imperitive.

or here

Jerrys1990 said:

Ok, I'm planning to upgrade my DD starter to the PMGR, and I see a lot of info. A LOT. From my understanding...you can either use the factory 94-95 PMGR TBI starter, the 96-up Vortec starter, or the NBS 99-whatever 4.3 liter TRUCK starter. Assuming that's accurate.....are any of the PMGR starters better than the other? Heading to our local pick-a-part this weekend. I know they have a lot of 4.3 Blazers and stuff....and a handful of Vortec vehicles. Wanna get the gooderest one I can, and I'm ordering the 12338064 bolts tomorrow. TIA!

Click to expand...

Unless I was dead-broke, I wouldn't fool with a used PMGR --- Only a new one

here:

rebelyell said:

Study that Remy TSB link shurkey provides in his post #5; it's the best, most reliable available.
Bet dollars to donuts you'll need a pair of GM 12338064 bolts and a starter to fit a 2003 Astro.
The correct bolts are an absolute imperitive.

or here

Starter for Chevy GMC SDR0019-L, 6449, 410-12407, 140-6031, 323-1471 SDR0019-L

Shop for the Starter For Chevy GMC SDR0019-L, 6449, 410-12407, 140-6031, 323-1471; SDR0019-L at DB Electrical. The best selection, low prices, fast shipping, and great customer service.

www.dbelectrical.com

Click to expand...

Not sure why anybody would look outside of what's already listed as compatible for their year model and engine for a GMT400 starter motor, unless they were hunting in the boneyard with limited availability of donor vehicles and wanted to maximize their potential for finding one that would fit. Otherwise, buying new, the Remy 96206 I mentioned (AND the TSB Schurkey linked mentions) fits across all years of GMT400 small and big blocks and probably fits the 4.3 as well (though those are all listed with DD starters instead of PMGR) and it's easy to find that info since they are listed by those same applications. ex. OP has a 1990 C1500 5.7, look it up, one of the listed choices is.. Remy 96206

Richard

Denso 281-8002 was my choice for a PMGR replacement for my DD starter. For comparison:



It is listed for industrial SBC and BBC applications, and Denso doesn't list it as a replacement for our trucks on their website (that I can recall). It bolted in with no issues using the original hardware for the DD starter, and I DID check to make sure the knurling properly engaged the bolt bosses prior to final torque.

The box says USA made, for what that is worth. Brand new, cost you $200 off Amazon.

I used DEI starter wrap, since the OE heat shield will not work.



I can't say it's better quality than any other new starter available, but my experience with Denso products has always been excellent.