ok well it seems my starter is going out the window. so i figured id replace it with a mini starter. the problrm is i have no idea what motor is in the car. i was told a 454 but the heads came of a 396. so not sure what it is. i havent found any # and i have looked all over for them. also have no idea wetherits a 153 or 168 tooth fly wheel. all other parts i have put on were for a gen iv 454. if that helps

my real problem is ho do i know if i need staggered or inline mount starter.

The flywheel tooth count really determines what starter. But most of the minis that I've seen have a dual pattern so they can be used with either flywheel.

Click the starter pic in this link.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PWM%2D9100&N=700+4294925143+4294839066+4294883170+4294908216+4294908395+115&autoview=sku