85 C10 Starter Problems - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*RMrider17* · 02-18-2010, 12:25 PM

Hey, I have two problems with my truck its an '85 2wd long bed c10, with a 305/350

The first problem is that the starter will not catch the flexplate. I switched out the old flexplate thinking it had some bad teeth, and put it back togeather it started real nice maybe 20 times, and then started grinding again. Do I need to shim it? Or replace the starter gear maybe? or both?

The second problem is that suddenly my key wont turn to all the way to start, so i have to pull the linkage in the steering colum towards me to get it to crank. What do I need to do to fix this? Did it pop off? or do they randomly go bad or something?

Thanks any thoughts are appreciated

-Adam

Tony@AirRideTech · 02-18-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMrider17

Hey, I have two problems with my truck its an '85 2wd long bed c10, with a 305/350

The first problem is that the starter will not catch the flexplate. I switched out the old flexplate thinking it had some bad teeth, and put it back togeather it started real nice maybe 20 times, and then started grinding again. Do I need to shim it? Or replace the starter gear maybe? or both?

The second problem is that suddenly my key wont turn to all the way to start, so i have to pull the linkage in the steering colum towards me to get it to crank. What do I need to do to fix this? Did it pop off? or do they randomly go bad or something?

Thanks any thoughts are appreciated

-Adam

First I would make sure that the solenoid is engaging all the way....

Big Port Jimmy 6 · 02-18-2010, 02:04 PM

The problems are probably unrelated to each other. It sounds like the rack that pulls the switch rod is worn or the switch needs to be adjusted. If the old flex plate had bad teeth then so did the bendix, a bad bendix will quickly destroy a new flex plate. Fix one issue at the time and you will be okay. Good Luck. Jay

Matt Man · 02-18-2010, 03:11 PM

Does the starter grind when you try to start it? if it does you need to put some shims on it to make sure it engages the flexplate. mine had this problem.

*RMrider17* · 02-19-2010, 08:20 PM

Thanks for the help, the starter worked, it just was grinding, but Yeah we shimmed the starter following the guide you get with a new one. It took 3 shims on the one side. It would engage at some parts of the flexplate and than not others, but its all good now. I know the problems were unrelated I just figured I'd just put them both in one thread.

Ne way the one problem still remains, the key wont start it unless you pull the rod in the column towards you any thoughts?

-Adam

**old Rusty C10** · 02-19-2010, 08:44 PM

check the top end of that bar and the pieces of metal it attaches to something is bent broke or worn

BigE77' · 02-19-2010, 10:35 PM

I had the same problem a while back, the shims didnt fix it though, It might not be a bad idea to hit up a junk yard and find a bracket that go's from the back of the starter to the block if you dont already have one, it will hold the starter in the right spot.

*RMrider17* · 02-20-2010, 05:17 PM

Thanks old rusty, Ill check it out, I figured it might be something like that, maybe it popped out, and thanks big e, the shims fixed it though, for now
-Adam

*RMrider17* · 03-11-2010, 11:37 PM

So, after all that it didn't actually get fixed. We pulled the valve covers on a hunch, and the engine has a head gasket leak into three cylinders, and was kicking the flexplate back because of all the coolant in the cylinders... SO Im getting a 350
-Adam

02-18-2010, 12:25 PM	#1
RMrider17 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 27	85 C10 Starter Problems Hey, I have two problems with my truck its an '85 2wd long bed c10, with a 305/350 The first problem is that the starter will not catch the flexplate. I switched out the old flexplate thinking it had some bad teeth, and put it back togeather it started real nice maybe 20 times, and then started grinding again. Do I need to shim it? Or replace the starter gear maybe? or both? The second problem is that suddenly my key wont turn to all the way to start, so i have to pull the linkage in the steering colum towards me to get it to crank. What do I need to do to fix this? Did it pop off? or do they randomly go bad or something? Thanks any thoughts are appreciated -Adam

02-18-2010, 02:04 PM	#3
Big Port Jimmy 6 Addicted to Rust Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Abbeville SC Posts: 1,030	Re: 85 C10 Starter Problems The problems are probably unrelated to each other. It sounds like the rack that pulls the switch rod is worn or the switch needs to be adjusted. If the old flex plate had bad teeth then so did the bendix, a bad bendix will quickly destroy a new flex plate. Fix one issue at the time and you will be okay. Good Luck. Jay __________________ Current trucks: (48 GMC100 320 inliner) Gone (48 Suburban in pieces) Sold 87 GMC CCSB 5.3 4l60E Daily Driver ECTA National record holder XO/PP We never really grow up, we just learn how to act in public.

02-18-2010, 03:11 PM	#4
Matt Man Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buhl, Idaho Posts: 1,438	Re: 85 C10 Starter Problems Does the starter grind when you try to start it? if it does you need to put some shims on it to make sure it engages the flexplate. mine had this problem. __________________ 86 c30 crew cab dually 454/400 4/6 drop SOLD 1-8-11 1981 chevy K10 short Bed Scottsdale SOLD 10-26-2020 67 GMC Stepside Straight six/3 on the tree "The Peach" 2020 Silverado Double Cab LT Z71 5.3 8 speed Daily Driver K10 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=671934 The Peach build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=733903

02-19-2010, 08:20 PM	#5
RMrider17 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 27	Re: 85 C10 Starter Problems Thanks for the help, the starter worked, it just was grinding, but Yeah we shimmed the starter following the guide you get with a new one. It took 3 shims on the one side. It would engage at some parts of the flexplate and than not others, but its all good now. I know the problems were unrelated I just figured I'd just put them both in one thread. Ne way the one problem still remains, the key wont start it unless you pull the rod in the column towards you any thoughts? -Adam

02-19-2010, 08:44 PM	#6
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,287	Re: 85 C10 Starter Problems check the top end of that bar and the pieces of metal it attaches to something is bent broke or worn __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

02-19-2010, 10:35 PM	#7
BigE77' Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Manchaca, TX Posts: 45	Re: 85 C10 Starter Problems I had the same problem a while back, the shims didnt fix it though, It might not be a bad idea to hit up a junk yard and find a bracket that go's from the back of the starter to the block if you dont already have one, it will hold the starter in the right spot. __________________ 77 Scottsdale,.454 .30 over, 10:1 flat top pistons, 480 lift comp cam, 781 heads stock valve size, some no name polished aluminumn dual plane intake advised by my machine shop to match the cam(He said is was great lol) Holley 750 vac sec, Turbo 400 built raybestos clutches and Kolene steels, Eaton Posi 3:73 14 bolt

02-20-2010, 05:17 PM	#8
RMrider17 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 27	Re: 85 C10 Starter Problems Thanks old rusty, Ill check it out, I figured it might be something like that, maybe it popped out, and thanks big e, the shims fixed it though, for now -Adam

03-11-2010, 11:37 PM	#9
RMrider17 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 27	Re: 85 C10 Starter Problems So, after all that it didn't actually get fixed. We pulled the valve covers on a hunch, and the engine has a head gasket leak into three cylinders, and was kicking the flexplate back because of all the coolant in the cylinders... SO Im getting a 350 -Adam



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