Shimming a starter

[semperfidoordie]

So I was going to replace the old worn out starter today and when I took the old one out I realized it had a shim with it. I had yet to put the new one in because I didn't know or pay attention to how the old shim was in there...sorry if this is a stupid question but thanks for taking your time to answer it if you do

[Palf70Step]

The starter noses vary sometimes and the starter may need shimmed because of that or irregularities in the block. I would try the new one without the shim and see if it engages alright. If it grinds or seems to act weird, try the shim between the starter and where it mates up.

[BobbyK]

If the inspection cover is off you can check the clearance between the fllywheel and the starter shaft.
Here's a good article on it.
http://www.carcraft.com/howto/2988/index3.html

[BobbyK]

Oh ya,make sure the rear support bracket is installed.It GREATLY prolongs the life of the starter.
Sorry no pic's of it on the truck.

[68C15]

there should be 1/8" between the starter shaft and the teeth of the ring gear. I use a brazing rod with the flux scraped off as a gauge.

[krue]

Most new starters come with a set of shims and a rod to check the clearance. I've always heard of the brace, but I've never actually seen one.

[stllookn]

Krue...me too...but I just found one on an old block and installed it on my new sb 400. Problem is that it just makes the terminals harder to access...LOL!

[BobbyK]

That's usually why they're never reinstalled.

Thing is once they ARE installed the need to access the wires becomes rare.

I'm going on 6 years with my starter.It's only a reman. from PepBoys.

[724x4a/cchevy]

on my second one i used two shims, the first rebuilt starter i bought i didnt use any shims and it broke the nose of the housing from being too close to the gears. Had to replace the starter and flexplate This is very important to check!!!! Flexplates arent easy to replace!!! lol lesson learned.

[A.P.]

BobbyK
I installed a bracket like that on my starter for a 350 engine and that cured all my grinding problems.
A.P.

[Ironhead]

I know the starter bracket is getting away from the shimming a starter question but, any idea where to get one of these brackets for a BB?

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

Originally Posted by BobbyK

If the inspection cover is off you can check the clearance between the fllywheel and the starter shaft.
Here's a good article on it.
http://www.carcraft.com/howto/2988/index3.html

**********************************************************

This is a great article. Easy read ..... lots of good info.

esll.

[pat]

I need to do this too. My starter would only engage about 10 percent of the time, always 'spinning off' and not grabbing. Dont know if these means my starter is going bad or I need shims.
So I got some shims and started with 2 shims, it grabbed good once or twice then kept spinning. 4 shims were no better. Might take off my starter to have it checked.

[Chevyboy1962]

Originally Posted by pat

I need to do this too. My starter would only engage about 10 percent of the time, always 'spinning off' and not grabbing. Dont know if these means my starter is going bad or I need shims.
So I got some shims and started with 2 shims, it grabbed good once or twice then kept spinning. 4 shims were no better. Might take off my starter to have it checked.

Pat,
Please keep me imformed on what you find out on your truck. My '62 is doing the exact same thing. I need to get this truck operational asap.
David

[BobbyK]

Originally Posted by Ironhead

I know the starter bracket is getting away from the shimming a starter question but, any idea where to get one of these brackets for a BB?

Check your local dealership,Should be around $10.00 for it.
That pic I posted was from Classic Industries catalog.
Here is the whole page.The prices have prob. gone up since my catalog is from 2000-2001.





Click the link for a full sized pic.
http://images23.fotki.com/v803/fileR...scan001001.jpg

[jhow66]

Pat: you need to shim the outer bolt only. Cut the shim to fit under this bolt only. Start with 2. This will set the teeth deeper in the flywheel.

[Ironhead]

Starter noise during cranking can be caused by too much clearance between pinion and flywheel. If shimmed, try removing shim or only shim outer bolt only. A whining noise after engine fires / as key is released can be from pinion and dlywheel being too close. Try shimming both sides until noise stops. I check the clearance between the pinion and flywheel or flexplate by using a heavy wire with a hook on the end of it to reach in and pull out the starter clutch until it engages the flywheel. You need to rotate the flywheel so a pinion gear tooth is centered between two flywheel teeth. Use a .020" wire gage. Hope this is helpful.

[pat]

Originally Posted by Chevyboy1962

Pat,
Please keep me imformed on what you find out on your truck. My '62 is doing the exact same thing. I need to get this truck operational asap.
David

I used a 1/16" shim on only the forwardmost bolt on the starter. Solved everything. Truck cranks and starts right away and it even decided to idle for me
Thanks guys!

[pat]

Scratch that, the next day it wouldnt work. I played with shims for about an hour with no luck. I went to get my starter tested and it worked, but the guy there said he really couldnt make sure b/c he couldnt put it under a load to see if it was getting weak. He mentioned something about GM changing the bolts from a 3/8 to a 10mm or something, and said there was a possibility of that causing enough of a misalignment. Plus the bolts were supposed to fit snugly in the starter, mine were very loose. So I bought a new starter and 2 new bolts and it works perfectly, no shims either.

[eedgell]

Mostly GM starters work with no shims. The cheep after market starters some times need them, but ac/delco not often. GM squares and trues all mounting surfaces.