mythical starter bracket? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Piper71c10 · 08-26-2003, 09:23 PM

I've been having problems with my starter grinding for months now. I've been thru 3 starters and replaced the flexplate twice. A buddy of mine says that there was a bracket that bolted to the back of the starter to keep it from moving around. Anyone ever seen this? Better yet, anyone got one for sale?

So frustrated that I'll pay well for an answer.

Thanks

Piper

**breeh** · 08-26-2003, 09:30 PM

You can get that bracket from most of the parts suppliers.

Bryan68custom · 08-26-2003, 09:31 PM

Yes, I have one on my truck. It bolts to the top bolt that holds starter together(the one with about an inch sticking out). The other end bolts to side of block up under exhaust manifold.

lukecp · 08-26-2003, 09:32 PM

I got mine from the local Chevy dealer for $5.

Class of 69 · 08-26-2003, 09:37 PM

You may need to shim the next starter. If it fits the flex plate too tight it will cause the damage you describe. Shims are available in different thicknesses from a dealer also.

Piper71c10 · 08-26-2003, 09:39 PM

anyone know of one I can get off of the web ? I'm pretty far from the local chevy dealer.

Piper!

FRENCHBLUE72 · 08-26-2003, 09:41 PM

You need shim's . You can get them at any autopart's store..

Piper71c10 · 08-26-2003, 09:44 PM

I've tried every combo of shims that I could lay my hands on. nothing works. Every time I install a new starter, it will be fine for a few starts, and then it will start grinding a few days later.

piper!

lukecp · 08-26-2003, 09:45 PM

LMC sells them in their catalog.

You may need a new flywheel/flexplate. How do the teeth look?

Piper71c10 · 08-26-2003, 09:49 PM

Sweet! Thanks Lucas!

I've replaced the flexplate twice (even tho it showed no wear). It's fine.

Hooter · 08-26-2003, 11:02 PM

are there any cracks where the starter mounts on the block? my friends 79 3/4 ton did the exact same thing, turns out his block was cracked and the starter would move too much off the pad on the block, lets just hope that your block isnt crakced

LudwigTheMad · 08-26-2003, 11:12 PM

a couple of thoughts...

#of teeth on flexplate vs starter..........

How much torque you running....heavy duty starter cured my similar prob.....but I had 500lbs of torque...which was the real issue, when the engine started it was kicking the starter too hard, causing the starter to strip and grind (did I just type that with a straight face????????? soon after starter was replaced......

ok three things......had one setup in a unmentionable car type where the nose on the starter was actually rubbing up against the torque inverter.....

The part was "correct" the manufacture had "incorect specs" for the part when they started to make it..........nope I didn't buy that one either.....other manufacture, different store worked fine...

dropped_71chevy · 08-27-2003, 12:58 AM

The starter shouldn't need shims if the original didn't. If you have the right starter it shouldn't need shims as long as the original didn't. Ok, I just wrote the same thing twice.

Tim

leadfoot067 · 08-27-2003, 01:08 AM

do you have actual starter bolts? they are knurled where the starter rides on them,if you just have regular bolts in there the starter will move around...

walker · 08-28-2003, 12:02 AM

So, is Piper your name or are you a Piper?
Walker( an actual piper)

**passthebuck** · 08-28-2003, 12:46 AM

Chev starters have a set of clutches JUST behind the gear that engages with the starter - There are various strengths of clutchs & I THINK i bought one from a local auto electrical fixer/rebuilder a Heavy Duty starter clutch/gear assembly (I think it had 5 clutches in it...) MABE thats part of your problem - IS it a high-compression motor? Is the starter having trouble & burning out clutch assemblies?

just my 2.5cents...

Piper71c10 · 08-28-2003, 02:03 AM

Walker -- Named Piper, but I'm sure there had to be a real piper in there somewhere to earn the name. :-)

PassTheBuck - It isn't a high compression engine, in fact it's a little lower than it should be. whaddya expect for original 350 with 200,000 on it? The starters don't have a chance to wear out, they last like 2 or 3 starts and then start grinding.

Leadfoot - Brialliant point! I forgot about that, and I know that I'm not running oem bolts. I'll swap em out tommorow and try that.

I've also ordered the starter bracket from www.truckandcarshop.com . Those guys have a *HUGE* catalogue of parts applicable to our years. I went there looking for the bracket and found it for $5.50, but didn't get off of the website until I had spent $125. :-)

Thanks again everyone for answering my questions. This board really makes me love my truck even more.

Piper!

boraxman · 08-28-2003, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hooter
are there any cracks where the starter mounts on the block? my friends 79 3/4 ton did the exact same thing, turns out his block was cracked and the starter would move too much off the pad on the block, lets just hope that your block isnt crakced

Had that exact thing happen to me on a '69 Camaro years ago. 3 starters and 2 flywheels later I figured it out. Sold the car because of it.

08-26-2003, 09:23 PM	#1
Piper71c10 Unending Project Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sequim, WA Posts: 337	mythical starter bracket? I've been having problems with my starter grinding for months now. I've been thru 3 starters and replaced the flexplate twice. A buddy of mine says that there was a bracket that bolted to the back of the starter to keep it from moving around. Anyone ever seen this? Better yet, anyone got one for sale? So frustrated that I'll pay well for an answer. Thanks Piper

08-26-2003, 09:30 PM	#2
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	You can get that bracket from most of the parts suppliers. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

08-26-2003, 09:32 PM	#4
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I got mine from the local Chevy dealer for $5. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

08-26-2003, 09:37 PM	#5
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	You may need to shim the next starter. If it fits the flex plate too tight it will cause the damage you describe. Shims are available in different thicknesses from a dealer also. __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

08-26-2003, 09:41 PM	#7
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	You need shim's . You can get them at any autopart's store.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

08-26-2003, 09:31 PM	#3
Bryan68custom Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Denison, Tx. Posts: 189	Yes, I have one on my truck. It bolts to the top bolt that holds starter together(the one with about an inch sticking out). The other end bolts to side of block up under exhaust manifold.

08-26-2003, 09:39 PM	#6
Piper71c10 Unending Project Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sequim, WA Posts: 337	anyone know of one I can get off of the web ? I'm pretty far from the local chevy dealer. Piper!

08-26-2003, 09:44 PM	#8
Piper71c10 Unending Project Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sequim, WA Posts: 337	I've tried every combo of shims that I could lay my hands on. nothing works. Every time I install a new starter, it will be fine for a few starts, and then it will start grinding a few days later. piper!

08-26-2003, 09:45 PM	#9
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	LMC sells them in their catalog. You may need a new flywheel/flexplate. How do the teeth look? __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

08-26-2003, 09:49 PM	#10
Piper71c10 Unending Project Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sequim, WA Posts: 337	Sweet! Thanks Lucas! I've replaced the flexplate twice (even tho it showed no wear). It's fine.

08-26-2003, 11:02 PM	#11
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	are there any cracks where the starter mounts on the block? my friends 79 3/4 ton did the exact same thing, turns out his block was cracked and the starter would move too much off the pad on the block, lets just hope that your block isnt crakced __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

08-26-2003, 11:12 PM	#12
LudwigTheMad Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Ramona, CA Posts: 2,033	a couple of thoughts... #of teeth on flexplate vs starter.......... How much torque you running....heavy duty starter cured my similar prob.....but I had 500lbs of torque...which was the real issue, when the engine started it was kicking the starter too hard, causing the starter to strip and grind (did I just type that with a straight face????????? soon after starter was replaced...... ok three things......had one setup in a unmentionable car type where the nose on the starter was actually rubbing up against the torque inverter..... The part was "correct" the manufacture had "incorect specs" for the part when they started to make it..........nope I didn't buy that one either.....other manufacture, different store worked fine... __________________ That's right, I'm back in the game again. No it's not pink..... 1972 Blue and White Suburban. Last edited by LudwigTheMad; 08-26-2003 at 11:16 PM.

08-27-2003, 12:58 AM	#13
dropped_71chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 198	The starter shouldn't need shims if the original didn't. If you have the right starter it shouldn't need shims as long as the original didn't. Ok, I just wrote the same thing twice. Tim

08-27-2003, 01:08 AM	#14
leadfoot067 horsepower junkie Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: graham, washington Posts: 326	do you have actual starter bolts? they are knurled where the starter rides on them,if you just have regular bolts in there the starter will move around...

08-28-2003, 12:02 AM	#15
walker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Phx AZ about 30 miles Posts: 698	So, is Piper your name or are you a Piper? Walker( an actual piper) __________________ Andy,Phx AZ '67 C-10 (Ahhh, done at last. Well there is that disk front end I want to put in and...) "23 C-Cab-sold '48 Ford 8N tractor(still working) '67 Scout(Now on the road) '70 MG B.-sold



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08-28-2003, 12:46 AM	#16
passthebuck Sisyphus was my mentor! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA Posts: 984	suggestion: Chev starters have a set of clutches JUST behind the gear that engages with the starter - There are various strengths of clutchs & I THINK i bought one from a local auto electrical fixer/rebuilder a Heavy Duty starter clutch/gear assembly (I think it had 5 clutches in it...) MABE thats part of your problem - IS it a high-compression motor? Is the starter having trouble & burning out clutch assemblies? just my 2.5cents... __________________ passthebuck #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car

08-28-2003, 02:03 AM	#17
Piper71c10 Unending Project Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sequim, WA Posts: 337	Walker -- Named Piper, but I'm sure there had to be a real piper in there somewhere to earn the name. :-) PassTheBuck - It isn't a high compression engine, in fact it's a little lower than it should be. whaddya expect for original 350 with 200,000 on it? The starters don't have a chance to wear out, they last like 2 or 3 starts and then start grinding. Leadfoot - Brialliant point! I forgot about that, and I know that I'm not running oem bolts. I'll swap em out tommorow and try that. I've also ordered the starter bracket from www.truckandcarshop.com . Those guys have a HUGE catalogue of parts applicable to our years. I went there looking for the bracket and found it for $5.50, but didn't get off of the website until I had spent $125. :-) Thanks again everyone for answering my questions. This board really makes me love my truck even more. Piper!

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