Starter problems..

[jcblue]

I'm not sure what I need to do.. Starter gear engages into flywheel far enough but not deep enough into the the teeth of the fly wheel and slips and grinds.. How so I solve this prob.. Have tried shims but not sure if that is helping

[Grumpy old man]

have you got a good battery and clean connections ? fully charged ? if so it sounds like the Bendix " starter drive" is going bad you can replace just the Bendix and not the entire starter but usually if the Bendix is going bad the brushes are soon to follow ...

[jcblue]

Might be the battery.. I just snagged one out of another car.. Motor craft at that lol.. The starter is new.

[Grumpy old man]

new doesn't mean it is a good starter parts made and sold today are junk !

[LockDoc]

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There are 2 different size flywheels and 2 different sets of bolt holes for the starter, depending on which flywheel you have. You need to make sure you have everything matched up.....

LockDoc

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I'm confused by "far enough, but not deep enough". Makes it sound like shims may defeat the purpose.

[jcblue]

I'm sorry I'm not good at explaining myself.. What I'm trying to explain is that the teeth on the starter gear and the teeth on the flywheel are not locking together as deep or tight as they should..

[jcblue]

Loc doc. How can I tell what flywheel I have?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by jcblue

Loc doc. How can I tell what flywheel I have?

The two flywheel wheel sizes are 153 tooth, 12.75” diameter. Used on 350ci and smaller engines, and the168 tooth, 14” diameter. Used on small blocks and big blocks, 400ci and larger.

Here is a good post by member "piecesparts":

[QUOTE]There are two sizes of flywheels/flexplates for the GM v-8 motors. There is a 153 tooth size and a 168 tooth size. The starters are designed different for these two sizes. The larger size uses a starter where the bolts are "OFFSET" to each other in the starter housing and on the block mounting pad. The smaller design uses a starter bolt pattern that is straight across from each other.

First take a look at your starter and see which one you have. Second, see if your block has three holes at the starter mounting point. IF you have the smaller flywheel design, then you will need to have the straight pattern on your starter bolts. Third, if it will make you feel better then mark your flywheel and count the teeth on it to see what you truly have.

If you happen to have a small flywheel, three bolt holes for mounting and the starter is an offset pattern, then change starters. If you have a small flywheel and only two holes, then you may have to change the flywheel.

There are aftermarket starters that have both design capabilities and it might be your advantage to purchase on of those, if needed.[/QUOTE

LockDoc

[jcblue]

Thanks for that.. My motor is a 350 but has the offset pattern bolt holes..

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by jcblue

Thanks for that.. My motor is a 350 but has the offset pattern bolt holes..

No problem. Any more questions post 'em up....

LockDoc