Newer flex plate in Older GW mistake

[AlexJordan22]

I made a mistake and I'm looking for solutions. I installed a used 727 from a 1990 GW into my 1984 GW. I was not aware that the flex plate/starters changed sometime after 86. So now I need to install the newer style starter in my 84 to match up with the flexplate. The problem is that my 84 has the solenoid on the inner fender and the newer GWs have a relay. How can I make this work? Can I install the relay where my solenoid currently sits and make the wiring work?

I'm printing off wiring diagrams today to see what all is different. In my mind it would be easier (not really but you know what I mean) to remove the transmission again and install my old flexplate, but if I can fix this fairly easily then I'm open to it.

[tgreese]

Yeah, don't let your fear of the wiring diagrams convince you to pull the transmission again. Suggest you get your colored pencils, paper and eraser and trace out the wiring for the starter and solenoid on separate pieces of paper. The solenoid takes the current load of the starter motor off the switch - it's just a whomping big switch that's a slave to the smaller ignition switch.

Note that the solenoid may also bypass the resistance wire to the coil for hotter starting. There is also a blue/white wire to the ignition module that retards the timing for easier starting. I would expect both these circuits to be present in both versions.

Supposedly the later Mistubishi (?) starter that goes with the newer solenoid is an upgrade; you have that as an additional motivation to keeping your present flexplate!