Looking to upgrade my old starter. I've been reading the Hi-Torgue Nippendenso 17802 is what a lot are suggesting.
My starter is the 3 bolt Mitsubishi style and the Nippendenso is a 2 bolt style.

NAPA tells me the 2 bolt will not mount up? I don't know anyone else that sells the Nippendenso that would be knowledgeable in knowing if the Nippendenso will mount up or not.
Seems people are upgrading to the hi-torque 18702 so any reason why it won't work?

Starter is already pulled and really didn't think I'd run into this issue.

Any help is appreciated.

 

I've run the 2-bolt hi-torque denso-style starters on multiple vehicles. I will not run another!! They DO bolt up, but unless you are getting a GENUINE Nippondenso unit, you are otherwise getting an Asian knock-off which will have a high degree of variable reliability. I never got more than 18 months out of one (knock-off "Denso-style" starters).

Also, you may have to do some grinding on your cross-member to create adequate clearance and prevent the starter from knocking against the cross-member. I had to grind on my Excursion, but not on my F250, so it varies from vehicle to cehicle.

I'm currently in possession, though, of several locally rebuilt TRUE Nippondenso units as well as the 3-bolt Mitsu which is currently running on my truck. One of these locally rebuilt Nippon units has now been running nearly two year on my wife's Excursion without a glitch or any indication of early death.

Personally, if you cannot find a genuine Nippon unit locally, I would speak with the guys at Nations Auto Electric... they know their stuff, stand behind their warranty, and don;t sell junk units.

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Thanks for the reply and info,.
I went to NAPA and looked at their Nippendenso and the shaft was longer and it was 13 teeth as were mine is 12 teeth?

Looking on Nations, it appears the Mitsubishi does make a hi-torque starter as well. Is that the one you're running?

 

Yes, I am running the higher torque Mitsu unit which I purchased from Nations. If I recall correctly, the guys at Nations told me that they personally run the Mitsu's over the Nippondenso units and have better success with that approach. I will tell you for sure, though, that the third bolt up top is a REAL BOOGER to deal with. Be very, very, very patient while working with it... there is very little room to wrench that particular location.

As for the 13 tooth design, that is part of how the Nippondenso units spin your truck over faster (you get both higher torque AND faster turnover speed). You can hear the difference very clearly, and it is not a problem with fitment at all. Also, the Nippondenso unit is HUGE and is not just a "slide under the truck and bolt in" kind of situation due to its size and weight (unless you are either much smaller/thinner than I am or have a noticeably higher ground clearance than I do).

 

Yeah I looked at an Nippondenso today at NAPA, yes it huge and heavy. I can't imagine that top bolt being any more fun to try and wrench on.
Which not know what I do now, I went ahead and took off my old one thinking I would go ahead and change it.
Then the NAPA folks, me looking at it, the 13 tooth pinion and longer shaft through me way off.
I would like to see one mounted. Been trying to find info. and vids but having come across anyone actually taking them of the unit installed.
So I may have to.
And yeah that top bolt had my undies all bunched up. Getting it out was too bad, but wow trying to get a finger on it to get it in and then tighten it enough that the rachet would actually work was not fun.
Finally got the small ratchet with a couple small extension on it. Grabbed a mirror from inside to see what I was doing on that top bolt, but working backwards or reverse due to the mirror didn't work out too well. lol

The high torque Mitsubishi has the 12 tooth pinion, does it not spin the truck over faster? Even though it's high torque and I'm sure that makes a diff. does that mostly come down to the extra tooth in the pinion?

The ground clearance was a HUGE pain for me today, especially sliding in and out from under the truck.
I am not looking forward to doing this again. I may just take it to a shop and pay them labor because I pretty much wasted a whole day and I about had an brain aneurism due to frustration on that top bolt. lol

 

Yeah... a lift makes it a whole lot easier... wish I had one!!

The 12-tooth pinion is the same as stock. It's the extra tooth on the pinion which gives you the faster spin speed (about 8% faster than any other 12 tooth gear). You do get the higher torque with the Mitsu, but just not the speed, and that really is not a problem anyway sincec the higher torque is a legitimate upgrade over stock.

Having done that upper bolt once, you should be good to go on a second effort. Save your pennies and gut it out... providing you have the time to do so.