Starter Issues
 

I recently picked up a 1969 C10. The owner told me it needed a starter. I installed a new starter and it started up fine the first time. As soon as I shut it off and went to start it again I heard the most horrible clanking/grinding noise. I went back to the auto parts store and tried a different starter. Same thing happened. I tried shimming the starter in all configurations and it made no difference. I also replaced the alternator,battery and battery cables. The truck will eventually start if you crank it over a few times but, it makes a horrible noise and shakes the whole starter bad. The flywheel looks good. Is it possible it is bent? Any ideas on what it could be

Re: Starter Issues
 

easy to check for bent flywheel by turning engine over by hand and measuring

Re: Starter Issues
 

Is your truck an automatic? If so, perhaps the flex plate is cracked....

Re: Starter Issues
 

Looks like I will pull the transmission this weekend and take a peek.

Re: Starter Issues
 

Possible causes (if automatic): Bent flexplate, cracked block around the starter bolt holes, flexplate in backwards (like in the one I bought), damaged teeth on ring-gear.
I went through the same problem and 3 bendixes, two starters and one flexplate later I gave up and bought a Summit heavy duty flexplate and mini-starter. It needed no shims and works perfect now.

Re: Starter Issues
 

Before you do that check your bolts compared to the starter. I was having the same problem. Two diff starters with shims and checked out the flex. The last time I pulled the starter I had the bolts sitting in it and noticed that there was a lot of play. Every two or three starts the starter was shifting and causing the glorious sound you are talking about. I could only find the bolts at a dealership that flared out above the treads and where the correct length. No problems since. If i remember correctly they were for an 89 Suburban. Oh and they were like $2 each. Hopefully your issues is as simple as mine was.

Dale

Re: Starter Issues
 

IMO, If you had a cracked flywheel, you would have a clacking noise with the engine running at idle. BTDT! This is a bit of a pain, but you should have 1/8" gap between the starter drive gear and the flywheel teeth. if you go to a starter/alternator manufactures site there will be info on this. Look carefully to see if the teeth on the flywheel seem to be shiny on the ends of the teeth. this would indicate that you might need a shim between the starter mounting holes and the starter. If you are not sure, buy a shim kit from your local parts store and try the thin one first, and see if it helps. Too much timing will also create havoc in the start up area. Check to see that the timing is ok ( its free, if you have a timing light ) HTH
Chip

Re: Starter Issues
 

Well I replaced the flexplate this weekend and it seemed to solve the problem. I have started and drove the truck a dozen times and it starts great everytime. Thanks for all the great advice guys.

Re: Starter Issues
 

could you see a problem with it or did you just replace it?

Re: Starter Issues
 

The only think I saw was when I layed it up against the new flexplate it did not lay perfectly flat. So I think it was bent or warped just a little.