Starter problems

[Sack]

I have a 78 model block with a 168 tooth flexplate and a starter from a 94 -99 truck which is a gear reduction for a 168 tooth flex plate. When I first fired off the engine it started fine and for the first 20 times or so. then it started grinding. I Thought it was the starter and i warrantied and it still does the same thing. I pulled it off and checked it and it kicks fine. I have shimmed and shimmed one side and now I am stuck. I do not understand why it worked and now it doesnt. I had a friend tell me that there should be an 1/8 inch gap and that mine is about a 1/4 and he thinks that is what the problem is. But like I said it started fine to begin with. Does anyone have a clue what my problem is?

[IceQueen]

had the same problem it needs toi be shimmed correctly



even if the fly-wheel is new. Ive only installed a couple of starters without the need to shim.



try shimmy it one way and then the other find the one with the least grind. could also be possible you have a cracked flex-plate and when its at the right point it grinds or if you have a used fly-wheel/flex plate it could be worn on one area and do it and not on other areas..

[Sack]

well it does it everytime. I bought it new pioneer fra100. I have shimmed it eavety possible way and really cant figure it out any more. But what about about the gap?

[Kory]

you might have to take that starter back and start fresh with a new one and shim it correctly. I had the same thing happen to me. I took it back and shimmed it up and has worked fine now.

[Sack]

ive done that and it still messed up. so i dunno. Time to start back from the basics

[spacecadet]

I\'ve seen that a before. Sometimes they get the wrong drive put on them. 156 teeth and 168 tooth drives look simialer. if the get mixed up at the rebuilder then you get noise. NAPA has a terrible problem with that. 50% of the GM starters I get from them do that. The difference is - my example- put a 3/8 coarse thread bolt next to a 10-1.50. threads look the same until you try to set them together.

You could try to shim it half way. Cut shim in half and use it on only one side. This will help rock the starter closer or farther away a little bit.

[riotpolice75]

you could be out there for hours doing this man. mine ended up taking over 1/4 inch of shims before it was aligned right.







smith

[riotpolice75]

you could be out there for hours doing this man. mine ended up taking over 1/4 inch of shims before it was aligned right.







smith

[Sack]

yea I have done it already for days but I think im getting closer now. ill keep yall posted

[Sack]

Well it fired back up again tonight. I took the shim I had in it out and this time it fired up. Didnt want to last time but now it runs again