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

rcazwillis · 02-26-2019, 11:15 PM

Newer style, smaller starter. After the truck starts, it sounds like the flex plate taps something a couple of times. Then quiets down at idle. Revving does not change anything. When accelerating, it makes a similar sound, but less aggressive. It looks like the starter gear does not retract all the way into the starter housing. When I push on it, the gear goes back far enough so the leading edge is inside the nose come. When I release pressure, it drifts back out a bit. Shouldn't this stay inside the nose come?

Shiming it does not change anything. Right now,I have more than 1/8" between ring gear starter shaft. Probably too much.

KQQL IT · 02-27-2019, 01:29 AM

I had one break the fork that retracts the bendix. And it would bounce off the flex plate and make a horrible racket.
Died after a wiring order malfunction with some extended cranking.

toolboxchev · 02-27-2019, 04:07 AM

Flex plate bolt not tightened enough or has a washer under it.

rcazwillis · 02-27-2019, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

Flex plate bolt not tightened enough or has a washer under it.

No washers. Possible one is loose.

toolboxchev · 02-27-2019, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcazwillis

No washers. Possible one is loose.

The stock ones have somewhat of a small or shallow/short profile. I believe they are a grade 8 with a fine thread. If they stick out too much they will tick or knock against other equipment like the starter and such.

I have seen it before, not tightened enough, or loosened up ticking on the starter.

Hope this helps! Flex Plate to Torque Converter Bolt to be specific.

Mike C · 02-27-2019, 10:19 PM

The unsupported nose Hitachi style starters come with a spacer ring that moves the drive gear further away from the flexplate.

KQQL IT · 02-27-2019, 10:38 PM

Found the video of what my starter did.

https://youtu.be/g-pkemjgaPs

rcazwillis · 02-28-2019, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Found the video of what my starter did.

https://youtu.be/g-pkemjgaPs

Interesting, it was just sliding back and forth. Mine does not do that.

KQQL IT · 02-28-2019, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcazwillis

Interesting, it was just sliding back and forth. Mine does not do that.

Yeah, still started a 454 fine. Just randomly bounced off the flex plate made an awful racket.

rcazwillis · 03-03-2019, 08:04 PM

While fixing a leak on the rear, I swapped back in the old flexplate. First thing I noticed was the ring gear was centered on the starter opening. The other was closer to the starter. I think the new flexplate had the ring welded on off center. Starter sounds much better.

KQQL IT · 03-03-2019, 09:49 PM

Good you found it. Chasing noises and vibrations is frustrating

02-26-2019, 11:15 PM	#1
rcazwillis Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 309	Starter gear Newer style, smaller starter. After the truck starts, it sounds like the flex plate taps something a couple of times. Then quiets down at idle. Revving does not change anything. When accelerating, it makes a similar sound, but less aggressive. It looks like the starter gear does not retract all the way into the starter housing. When I push on it, the gear goes back far enough so the leading edge is inside the nose come. When I release pressure, it drifts back out a bit. Shouldn't this stay inside the nose come? Shiming it does not change anything. Right now,I have more than 1/8" between ring gear starter shaft. Probably too much. __________________ Zane's 71 Build

02-27-2019, 01:29 AM	#2
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,237	Re: Starter gear I had one break the fork that retracts the bendix. And it would bounce off the flex plate and make a horrible racket. Died after a wiring order malfunction with some extended cranking. __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

02-27-2019, 04:07 AM	#3
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: Starter gear Flex plate bolt not tightened enough or has a washer under it.

02-27-2019, 10:19 PM	#6
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,723	Re: Starter gear The unsupported nose Hitachi style starters come with a spacer ring that moves the drive gear further away from the flexplate. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

02-27-2019, 10:38 PM	#7
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,237	Re: Starter gear Found the video of what my starter did. https://youtu.be/g-pkemjgaPs __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

03-03-2019, 08:04 PM	#10
rcazwillis Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 309	Re: Starter gear While fixing a leak on the rear, I swapped back in the old flexplate. First thing I noticed was the ring gear was centered on the starter opening. The other was closer to the starter. I think the new flexplate had the ring welded on off center. Starter sounds much better. __________________ Zane's 71 Build Last edited by rcazwillis; 03-04-2019 at 12:14 AM.

03-03-2019, 09:49 PM	#11
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,237	Re: Starter gear Good you found it. Chasing noises and vibrations is frustrating __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

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