Someone may be able to expand on this, but I'm pretty sure there are multiple starters based on the engine they were put on. You can Google search gm starters, something about the back end of them. Some taper and extend back, some are just squared off, or some such similar. (Edit: typed on a phone, ahd to be brief. Point being that some GM starters are longer than others, and I'm 99% sure that indicates what sort of cranking power they have.)
Generally if the nose cone looks the same they will bolt on, but I'm sure if gm could cheap out and use a less powerful starter on an sbc, vs. a BBC, they did. Doesn't mean it won't work, just not going to be likely to do as good a job, and/or last as long.
If you can get your hands on a mini starter without spending a ton of money, I'd suggest that. They crank better and draw less, so battery and cables are less likely to be a problem. I don't regret mine one bit.
