Starter issues, still - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

krue · 08-06-2006, 10:53 PM

For those that remember I've been having trouble with starters in my truck since I bought it. Pretty much cannot get them shimmed right. The bendix teeth aren't far enough in the flexplate teeth. After a little while the teeth wear and start to clash and bind. I've been thru 6 or more starters in a few years. I had a "special" nosecone that supposedly got the starter .010" closer but the mounting ear broke on it and I can't find another. I replaced the flexplate but that hasn't helped. Any words of wisdom out there?

jhow66 · 08-06-2006, 11:36 PM

See if this will help:
http://macc.chevelles.net/starter.htm

67chevy2wd · 08-06-2006, 11:43 PM

I am assuming you have the starter with the three tabed nosecone, dont' they bolt to the bell houseing, maybe you bell houseing is messed up. I would try a different one.

Green Machine · 08-07-2006, 12:07 AM

I have had the best luck using the cast iron starter noses. But having said that if you have tried a cast nose and that does not work, then use the aluminun nose with this modification.

I have run into this before where maybe the block was machined a little too tall, or the bolt holes were too far outside, which made the starter too far away. Mount the aluminum nosed starter in a vise and use a wide very course file and hand mill some material from the entire mounting surface. How much to take off is your call, I would remove about 1/16 inch and try it. You can always take more off, and if you go too much, oh well, a used nose goes for about $5 around here, or you can use shims. That WILL fix your problem if that is what it is, Just be sure your hand machine job is as flat and even as possible. Make sure you use actual starter bolts too, not just regular bolts.

tom71 · 08-07-2006, 10:25 AM

do you have the correct flywheel? if so , i think green machine has the right idea

incoma · 08-07-2006, 10:59 AM

Starter bolts made the difference for my problem starter. I also have a spare nosecone if you need one.

kaycee · 08-07-2006, 06:57 PM

I had to shim my starter on the outer bolt only(closest to pass. fender) it worked for me.

krue · 08-07-2006, 08:54 PM

I've shimmed the starter on an engine stand and can't get it close enough. Guess I'm gonna have to try the file method. I used a grinder on one, but I may not have gotten it flat enough.

Americanrider · 08-08-2006, 05:13 AM

I ran into the same problem replacing a rebuilt SB400 in a '73 Caprice last year for my cousin. I ran the numbers on the block and it came back as a '75 1 ton truck motor. So after another quick trip to the parts store for an exchange (4th time) I pulled all the shims, installed the starter it called for and it worked great and is still working.

JustLiveIt · 08-08-2006, 05:05 PM

PO of my truck put the flex plate on backwards so the pinion on the starter barely hooked up with the teeth on the flex plate. Now it just grinds and the starter and flexplate need to be replaced.

Not looking forward to that one...

67chevy2wd · 08-08-2006, 06:04 PM

Look on the bright side it could be in a front wheel drive with a transaxle, now that would be fun.

JustLiveIt · 08-08-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67chevy2wd

Look on the bright side it could be in a front wheel drive with a transaxle, now that would be fun.

True. But with just a small garage and jack stands this should be a fun one.

krue · 08-08-2006, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustLiveIt

True. But with just a small garage and jack stands this should be a fun one.

Beats my yard and gravel drive.

08-06-2006, 10:53 PM	#1
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Starter issues, still For those that remember I've been having trouble with starters in my truck since I bought it. Pretty much cannot get them shimmed right. The bendix teeth aren't far enough in the flexplate teeth. After a little while the teeth wear and start to clash and bind. I've been thru 6 or more starters in a few years. I had a "special" nosecone that supposedly got the starter .010" closer but the mounting ear broke on it and I can't find another. I replaced the flexplate but that hasn't helped. Any words of wisdom out there? __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-06-2006, 11:36 PM	#2
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Re: Starter issues, still See if this will help: http://macc.chevelles.net/starter.htm __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

08-06-2006, 11:43 PM	#3
67chevy2wd Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Salem, ND Posts: 1,558	Re: Starter issues, still I am assuming you have the starter with the three tabed nosecone, dont' they bolt to the bell houseing, maybe you bell houseing is messed up. I would try a different one. __________________ 07 Chevy classic LBZ Duramax (a few mods) '67 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (in pieces) '69 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (on hold) '71 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 ‘71 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd suburban

08-07-2006, 12:07 AM	#4
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: Starter issues, still I have had the best luck using the cast iron starter noses. But having said that if you have tried a cast nose and that does not work, then use the aluminun nose with this modification. I have run into this before where maybe the block was machined a little too tall, or the bolt holes were too far outside, which made the starter too far away. Mount the aluminum nosed starter in a vise and use a wide very course file and hand mill some material from the entire mounting surface. How much to take off is your call, I would remove about 1/16 inch and try it. You can always take more off, and if you go too much, oh well, a used nose goes for about $5 around here, or you can use shims. That WILL fix your problem if that is what it is, Just be sure your hand machine job is as flat and even as possible. Make sure you use actual starter bolts too, not just regular bolts. __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0 Last edited by Green Machine; 08-07-2006 at 12:13 AM.

08-07-2006, 10:25 AM	#5
tom71 what happened to flint mi Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 436	Re: Starter issues, still do you have the correct flywheel? if so , i think green machine has the right idea __________________ 71 swb 2wd fleet frame off in progress 72 4x4 blazer daily driver 70 olds cutlass s mint condition owned by a grandma 56 gmc 2wd project waitng 97 fiance mobile

08-07-2006, 10:59 AM	#6
incoma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 865	Re: Starter issues, still Starter bolts made the difference for my problem starter. I also have a spare nosecone if you need one. __________________ "Green Monster" (Red Sox fan) 1970 GMC survivor, 350/200 4R, 3.42 rear gears, 2.5/4 drop, ECE disc brake conversion, powder coated suspension

08-07-2006, 06:57 PM	#7
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,463	Re: Starter issues, still I had to shim my starter on the outer bolt only(closest to pass. fender) it worked for me. __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327/4L60

08-07-2006, 08:54 PM	#8
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: Starter issues, still I've shimmed the starter on an engine stand and can't get it close enough. Guess I'm gonna have to try the file method. I used a grinder on one, but I may not have gotten it flat enough. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-08-2006, 05:13 AM	#9
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	Re: Starter issues, still I ran into the same problem replacing a rebuilt SB400 in a '73 Caprice last year for my cousin. I ran the numbers on the block and it came back as a '75 1 ton truck motor. So after another quick trip to the parts store for an exchange (4th time) I pulled all the shims, installed the starter it called for and it worked great and is still working.

08-08-2006, 05:05 PM	#10
JustLiveIt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles, Ca Posts: 136	Re: Starter issues, still PO of my truck put the flex plate on backwards so the pinion on the starter barely hooked up with the teeth on the flex plate. Now it just grinds and the starter and flexplate need to be replaced. Not looking forward to that one... __________________ 1968 Chev SWB Fleet with GMC Clip and lots of 71-72 parts!

08-08-2006, 06:04 PM	#11
67chevy2wd Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Salem, ND Posts: 1,558	Re: Starter issues, still Look on the bright side it could be in a front wheel drive with a transaxle, now that would be fun. __________________ 07 Chevy classic LBZ Duramax (a few mods) '67 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (in pieces) '69 Chevy 1/2 ton 2wd (on hold) '71 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 ‘71 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd suburban

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