400sb starter problems!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Joesjunk** · 04-11-2004, 02:33 AM

I have a 400 small block in my 4x4 and the starter makes lots of noise when you crank it. I tried shims and got no where. So today I got a new starter, same thing!! Put some shims in it and still very noisy!! Could I have the wrong starter?? I have never messed with a 400sb before? The truck cranks and will start, just very noisy. The fly wheel has some minor wear on the teeth, but nothing I would think would matter?? Any ideas???
Thanks, Joe

**68 Stepside** · 04-11-2004, 03:34 AM

Just a random thought on this....

My friend had a 307 in his 68 Chevelle, and had put a reman starter in it. It made one heck of a noise when it cranked, but it would start and run.... It turned out the starter was for a different tooth count flywheel. Does that make sense

I know some SBC's had 153 tooth, and some had 168. Couldn't tell you which had which tough.

Good luck.

pritch · 04-11-2004, 05:00 AM

Cure for noisy starter on sb400's:
step 1: remove starter
2) remove sb400
3) take sb400 to deepest lake in your area, and pitch it in.
4) procure sb350,327,307-any other small block, rebuild if neccisary, and reinstall
5) reinstall starter
Problem solved. Even if your starter still makes noise, the bigger overall problem is solved. That starter won't overheat no more, either
least that's my .02

Tx Firefighter · 04-11-2004, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pritch
Cure for noisy starter on sb400's:
step 1: remove starter
2) remove sb400
3) take sb400 to deepest lake in your area, and pitch it in.
4) procure sb350,327,307-any other small block, rebuild if neccisary, and reinstall
5) reinstall starter
Problem solved. Even if your starter still makes noise, the bigger overall problem is solved. That starter won't overheat no more, either
least that's my .02

Not even worth a response......He's obviously not ever had a good 400 SB. I have, there is nothin better, except a big block.

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 04-11-2004, 11:39 AM

No wonder I can't find a 400 bottom end for a stroker, they are all in a lake some where???

**Joesjunk** · 04-11-2004, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 68 Stepside
Just a random thought on this....

My friend had a 307 in his 68 Chevelle, and had put a reman starter in it. It made one heck of a noise when it cranked, but it would start and run.... It turned out the starter was for a different tooth count flywheel. Does that make sense I know some SBC's had 153 tooth, and some had 168. Couldn't tell you which had which tough.

Good luck.

Thanks, I have heard there are two different flywheels. I guess I need to check that out. Is there an easy way to check the number of teeth, or just try to count them?

Tx Firefighter · 04-11-2004, 02:30 PM

The starters are completely different in how they mount. One has straight across mounting bolts and the other has offset mounting bolts.

You just compare the new starter to make sure the aluminum nosecone with the bolt holes is the same.

**Joesjunk** · 04-11-2004, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tx Firefighter
The starters are completely different in how they mount. One has straight across mounting bolts and the other has offset mounting bolts.

You just compare the new starter to make sure the aluminum nosecone with the bolt holes is the same.

The new starter looks just like the old one?? Hummm??? It has the offset mounting.

**JDL** · 04-11-2004, 09:27 PM

Find a starter like this they have a cast steel nosecone and get the font brace to.

LUV2XCLR8 · 04-11-2004, 10:31 PM

MY 67 THAT I'M SELLING HAS A 400 SB AND IT DOES THE SAME
THING, TRIED SHIMS ALSO, I'M JUST ROLLING WITH IT AS IS.

**pound41** · 04-11-2004, 10:46 PM

I have a 71 blazer with a 350 that I have had 20+yrs it went through starters and flywheels like water, Shimed it in every direction. 2 Things

ne is the brace that mounts on the back to keep it from flexing. The other I used the remanufactured starters from what was trak auto here in VA Lifetime warranty stuff. Bring it in and get a new one. Anyway I had to have the transmission rebuilt and the guy told me that there was a big difference in the quality of parts used in a trak auto starter versus a percision starter $ 30 versus $110 for the percision anyway the percision starter has been on there 8-9yrs now. before I was getting a starter every couple of months. Also I had a sm400 that came in a 70 monte and it never made a sound

04-11-2004, 02:33 AM	#1
Joesjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Independence MO. Posts: 7,697	400sb starter problems!! I have a 400 small block in my 4x4 and the starter makes lots of noise when you crank it. I tried shims and got no where. So today I got a new starter, same thing!! Put some shims in it and still very noisy!! Could I have the wrong starter?? I have never messed with a 400sb before? The truck cranks and will start, just very noisy. The fly wheel has some minor wear on the teeth, but nothing I would think would matter?? Any ideas??? Thanks, Joe __________________ 72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale

04-11-2004, 03:34 AM	#2
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	Just a random thought on this.... My friend had a 307 in his 68 Chevelle, and had put a reman starter in it. It made one heck of a noise when it cranked, but it would start and run.... It turned out the starter was for a different tooth count flywheel. Does that make sense I know some SBC's had 153 tooth, and some had 168. Couldn't tell you which had which tough. Good luck. __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

04-11-2004, 11:39 AM	#5
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	No wonder I can't find a 400 bottom end for a stroker, they are all in a lake some where??? __________________ 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..

04-11-2004, 02:30 PM	#7
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	The starters are completely different in how they mount. One has straight across mounting bolts and the other has offset mounting bolts. You just compare the new starter to make sure the aluminum nosecone with the bolt holes is the same. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

04-11-2004, 09:27 PM	#9
JDL Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Agency IA. Posts: 1,839	Find a starter like this they have a cast steel nosecone and get the font brace to. __________________ 72 Chevy short step side with 454 air and tilt. 72 nova project car 63 chevy II drag car Agency Iowa

04-11-2004, 05:00 AM	#3
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	Cure for noisy starter on sb400's: step 1: remove starter 2) remove sb400 3) take sb400 to deepest lake in your area, and pitch it in. 4) procure sb350,327,307-any other small block, rebuild if neccisary, and reinstall 5) reinstall starter Problem solved. Even if your starter still makes noise, the bigger overall problem is solved. That starter won't overheat no more, either least that's my .02

04-11-2004, 10:31 PM	#10
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,477	MY 67 THAT I'M SELLING HAS A 400 SB AND IT DOES THE SAME THING, TRIED SHIMS ALSO, I'M JUST ROLLING WITH IT AS IS. __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

04-11-2004, 10:46 PM	#11
pound41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,269	I have a 71 blazer with a 350 that I have had 20+yrs it went through starters and flywheels like water, Shimed it in every direction. 2 Things ne is the brace that mounts on the back to keep it from flexing. The other I used the remanufactured starters from what was trak auto here in VA Lifetime warranty stuff. Bring it in and get a new one. Anyway I had to have the transmission rebuilt and the guy told me that there was a big difference in the quality of parts used in a trak auto starter versus a percision starter $ 30 versus $110 for the percision anyway the percision starter has been on there 8-9yrs now. before I was getting a starter every couple of months. Also I had a sm400 that came in a 70 monte and it never made a sound



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