No he's not crazy...unfortunately. Go to "Napaonline.com" and look it up. There are listings for both long bolt and short bolt.

Perhaps the cars have the short bolt because of their small engine bays. I don't know.

 

That is very interesting. I have owned a bunch of these trucks and cars with the LS engine and every one of them has had two long bolts. I noticed on Napa's website that after 01 there is no option for different bolt lengths. Wonder what changed.
Learn something new everyday.

 

I've seen a mixed bolt starter before...cant remember exactly what it was on...but it was an LS engine and more than likely a truck..not much help I know,but they are out there

 

Were the bolt holes staggerd or something for the one short one long version?

InchUp - I would say that since you don't have an original starter, and if the bolt holes are in a row that either starter would proably work. Like I said I didn't even know two different configurations even existed. I have had 99, 00, 02, 03 and 07 engines and have had no interference issues with using the two long bolt version.

 

in my 99 sierra it had one long and one short.... when the bendix went on it, I went to get a new one from napa and he said there was un update for the starter ... so now i have to long bolts. the new starter came with one long bolt to make up for the short one. theres no difference just the casting in them thats all I was told works great.

Also he told me the first years of the 4.8/5.3 had these short bolts before they switched

 

yeah the starter housing is the only difference that I remember.....and I believe you can find a bolt in the HELP isle as mentioned before

 

I have 99 5.3 with one long one short bolt on starter did the one with two long work i cant find a stater with one long one short only two long

 

I have a 99 Chevy Silverado 1500 2wd 4.8 LS An I have one long bolt one short an the starter is hard to find an they are 250$+ If you find one I'm trying to find out if you can put a long bolts on it it's place

 

Yes, you will need 1 additional long bolt to be able to bolt it in though.