Starter housing broke - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pat · 05-24-2007, 03:17 PM

Ive got a 383 and it had starter problems. Shimming wouldn’t do it so I got a new starter. Put it on with no shims. It worked great. Started it at least a couple dozen times with no problem. Then a week or so later I try to start it and it makes a really bad sound. Not grinding, just like its stuck. So I go underneath and find that the gears are still locked together and it broke the front part of the housing off of the starter. So the gears are still locked, and the part of the bellhousing covering the gear on the starter is completely broken off.
What the #@#$ just happened to my brand new starter that probably wont be covered by the warranty?

BACKYARD88 · 05-24-2007, 03:20 PM

It's probably an aluminum nose cone, it's pretty common for those to break. Get a cast iron nose starter this time and a couple new bolts(cast nose takes different bolts than the aluminum one) and you'll be set.

riche · 05-24-2007, 03:34 PM

Before you bolt up the new starter pull the solinoid then bolt it up. That way you can check the clerance on the gears by pulling the lever back. Shims will do you no good if you don't put enough in. That may not be your problem but it is still a good check. Your problem could be the 11:1 compresion ratio right!!!!

larry may · 05-24-2007, 03:48 PM

I had this start breaking crap once.For the aluminum ones. I found out there is a bracket on the other end of the starter then bolts to the block . Stiffens er up some . Put the bracket on never had another issue breaking the starter nose,Been 20 years ago . Things may have changed by now using that bracket.

BACKYARD88 · 05-24-2007, 04:09 PM

We still keep those brackets in stock. It is another feasible option, I just like the cast nose on high performance engines.

larry may · 05-24-2007, 05:14 PM

ME Too!

pat · 05-25-2007, 03:11 PM

Where can I get one of those brackets?
Luckily the autoparts store took the starter back, it was still under warranty, but I just got another aluminum one. Im not going to crank it any until I get someone to time and tune my motor, I was told maybe a kick from the motor would be all it needs to break it.

BACKYARD88 · 05-25-2007, 03:28 PM

You should be able to Pick the bracket up at any reputable Chevy dealer. Use part number 3965589, it lists for $4.45

RACINJASON22 · 05-26-2007, 03:42 AM

Definatly run this bracket It will help you out for sure. Even if does not fix this problem it will eleviate other in the future.

RJ22...

05-24-2007, 03:17 PM	#1
pat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lindsay, TX Posts: 1,245	Starter housing broke Ive got a 383 and it had starter problems. Shimming wouldn’t do it so I got a new starter. Put it on with no shims. It worked great. Started it at least a couple dozen times with no problem. Then a week or so later I try to start it and it makes a really bad sound. Not grinding, just like its stuck. So I go underneath and find that the gears are still locked together and it broke the front part of the housing off of the starter. So the gears are still locked, and the part of the bellhousing covering the gear on the starter is completely broken off. What the #@#$ just happened to my brand new starter that probably wont be covered by the warranty? __________________ 68 Chevy 383/350 w/shift kit, 380hp/425ft-lbs, 4.5/5 drop, 17" TT2s 64 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

05-24-2007, 03:20 PM	#2
BACKYARD88 On the fast track to nowhere.. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Splendora, Texas Posts: 5,316	Re: Starter housing broke It's probably an aluminum nose cone, it's pretty common for those to break. Get a cast iron nose starter this time and a couple new bolts(cast nose takes different bolts than the aluminum one) and you'll be set. __________________ -Mike Owen- Support the board here! 71 Chevy short fleet build thread Double D Norwood, Houston, Cecilia, Jackson, Monroe and counting

05-24-2007, 03:34 PM	#3
riche New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 62	Re: Starter housing broke Before you bolt up the new starter pull the solinoid then bolt it up. That way you can check the clerance on the gears by pulling the lever back. Shims will do you no good if you don't put enough in. That may not be your problem but it is still a good check. Your problem could be the 11:1 compresion ratio right!!!! __________________ 1969-72'ish C-10 SWB Step 1997 Chevy Z71(sold) 2005 Chevy Crew Cab

05-24-2007, 03:48 PM	#4
larry may Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: MISSOURI Posts: 3,256	Re: Starter housing broke I had this start breaking crap once.For the aluminum ones. I found out there is a bracket on the other end of the starter then bolts to the block . Stiffens er up some . Put the bracket on never had another issue breaking the starter nose,Been 20 years ago . Things may have changed by now using that bracket. __________________ The biggest problem people have, is other people Thou shalt be cool and not hassle Be a site supporter. The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool inclines to the left." Ecclesiastes 10:2 Last edited by larry may; 05-24-2007 at 03:49 PM.

05-24-2007, 04:09 PM	#5
BACKYARD88 On the fast track to nowhere.. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Splendora, Texas Posts: 5,316	Re: Starter housing broke We still keep those brackets in stock. It is another feasible option, I just like the cast nose on high performance engines. __________________ -Mike Owen- Support the board here! 71 Chevy short fleet build thread Double D Norwood, Houston, Cecilia, Jackson, Monroe and counting

05-24-2007, 05:14 PM	#6
larry may Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: MISSOURI Posts: 3,256	Re: Starter housing broke ME Too! __________________ The biggest problem people have, is other people Thou shalt be cool and not hassle Be a site supporter. The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool inclines to the left." Ecclesiastes 10:2

05-25-2007, 03:11 PM	#7
pat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lindsay, TX Posts: 1,245	Re: Starter housing broke Where can I get one of those brackets? Luckily the autoparts store took the starter back, it was still under warranty, but I just got another aluminum one. Im not going to crank it any until I get someone to time and tune my motor, I was told maybe a kick from the motor would be all it needs to break it. __________________ 68 Chevy 383/350 w/shift kit, 380hp/425ft-lbs, 4.5/5 drop, 17" TT2s 64 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

05-25-2007, 03:28 PM	#8
BACKYARD88 On the fast track to nowhere.. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Splendora, Texas Posts: 5,316	Re: Starter housing broke You should be able to Pick the bracket up at any reputable Chevy dealer. Use part number 3965589, it lists for $4.45 __________________ -Mike Owen- Support the board here! 71 Chevy short fleet build thread Double D Norwood, Houston, Cecilia, Jackson, Monroe and counting Last edited by BACKYARD88; 05-25-2007 at 03:29 PM. Reason: Spell check;)

05-26-2007, 03:42 AM	#9
RACINJASON22 GEARHEAD Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CENTRAL,PA Posts: 2,284	Re: Starter housing broke Definatly run this bracket It will help you out for sure. Even if does not fix this problem it will eleviate other in the future. RJ22... __________________ 72 SWB 2WD MY PROJECT 72 LWB 4X4 FUTURE PROJECT SUBSCRIBE HEREBOARD VENDORS HERE NORWOOD MEET SURVIVOR!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.