are starter bolts anything special or can grade 5 or 8 hardware bolts be used? For a 454.

Bolts are special if using stock type starters
Aftermarket tilton ect use grade (8)

Are You bolting to a bell housing or the block?

I'm assuming a 97 donzi. Don't have a trans
Get out of this thread trouble maker.

The bolts have an area that is knurled where the starter meets the block. The block is counterbored so this area fits tight. Takes the load off the threads and keeps the starter where it belongs. I learned the hard way back in the 60's!

So - answer is use the correct starter bolts.

Get them at Autozone or O'Reillys in the help section they usually have them in stock

Merc says they are 3/8-16 x 4.33 Called napa and the closest size they have are 4 5/8....are the 4 5/8 going to be too long?

you can stack washers under the heads to correct length, but get the right bolts...

Get the right bolts, I almost wasted my flywheel with the wrong bolts.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...=starter+bolts