S10 parts Mini starter

[j_borrello]

I just got the mini starter from the store and I have a slight issue. The gear does not mesh with the flywheel. It is too far in and the teeth dont mesh, the whole thing needs to move out towards the frame. Im using a 305 out of an 85 Monte SS, it has three hose for the starter mount but I would think the main two holes would be the same. Any help?

[Rusty]

did you try a thick starter shim? I don't like the mini starter i got a BIG reman'd AC/Delco starter it may weigh 20 LB's but it wont quit haha

[inou2]

Rusty's right, time to shim.

[bigdsr56]

Sounds like it's time to shim the starter. Try the regular shim first. If it still doesn't mesh right then, cut the shim in two, and put the shim on the inboard bolt only. That should cure it.Good luck!

[j_borrello]

Ok cool thanks guys. I looked at is again today and with pushing the gear out and engaging it with a scewdriver it does engage. Still looks a little tight and when I take the scewdriver out the gear stays engaged. That can be because its not getting pulled back in but I would think you would want the gear to pull back by itself right? What do you guys use to measure the gear mesh clearance?

[smallblock283]

you might need a shim but the starter in go back in as the motor turns, right?

[j_borrello]

Im not to the point where I can start the motor yet. Im going to measure the mesh clearance tomorrow but it only take a little tap on the end of the gear to get it to disengage the flywheel so i think i should be fine. Thanks for the help!

[helmmadkc]

okay there are two flywheels for a sbc as far as teeth count a 168 tooth and a 153 tooth which one do you have it does matter for starter

[SassyV8]

I bet its a 153 tooth.

[helmmadkc]

what i was thinking myself they always used to ask when you bought a starter , what flywheel you got 168 or 153 .

[SassyV8]

168,,,using a starter off a Caprice.

[mkmsports41]

most mini starters will except either flywheel these days. they will have three holes and a notch cut out to clear the oil pan. a automatic usually uses the153 tooth, and the straight shift uses the 168 tooth flexplate/flywheel. i had the same issue with mine when i first installed. I had to shim to get it right. And the starter gear still sometimes hung. Both my starter and flexplate were new. After I cranked the the engine over 20 times or so it made a pattern and "rubbed off the new" and no longer hung. I actually had to use more shims than i ever had before. Once i got it right i made one shim out of flatstock. If it is too tight you will notice a "wining" noise when cranking.

[gdmclnh]

I set the starters up so that a standard paper clip wire will fit between the starter gear and the starter ring gear on the flexplate or flywheel.

[helmmadkc]

okay is the starter twisting and pulling away from flywheel when you try to start it , like it turns over for a bit then starter will not engage anymore okay after some thought a 305 should be a 153 tooth but a 400 small block use a 168 tooth on a autotmatic , someone could have swapped flywheels they look alike . a 283 , 302, 305 ,307 327 ,350 396 , 427, 454 used 153 tooth 400 used the 168 a 400 has subtle things about it that are differet like flywheel casting marks on block the balancer , heads . i wonder if you may have 168 tooth flywheel