Starter Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

squint · 07-23-2005, 11:23 AM

I am installing a new starter tomorrow..

1. When I took my old starter out there was no piece from the starter to the block... should there be a bracket in there to steady the starter?..

2. I installed a new Starter Flexplate also.. Whats the normal Shimmy setting for our trucks.. where's a good place to start?

Thanks..

Prerunner1982 · 07-23-2005, 11:33 AM

ive never had a bracket to the block...

boxrodz · 07-23-2005, 11:48 AM

I just replaced the starter on my truck. It made a whirl of difference. (No pun intended.)

I was able to loosen and disconnect the wires while the starter was still attached to the block. I then loosened and removed the two bolts holding the starter to the block. I had no other brackets or supports. I cleaned the two long bolts and the wire connectors. Then install the new starter in the reverse order.

GM recommends a clearance between 0.020" to 0.060" They recommend a 0.020" wire guage to set the clearance. You could also use a paper clip which is around 0.030".
Good luck.

82c10 · 07-23-2005, 11:55 AM

don't forget to undo the battery

squint · 07-23-2005, 11:07 PM

hmm.. ok odd.. I have a friend who is a mechanic and he said there was supposed to be a metal strap like thing that bolds the back of the starter to the block so that it doesn't move.. I duno.. I guess i wont worry about it.

Whats the best way to shimmy it up?

thanks..

MM in NM · 07-23-2005, 11:29 PM

You should have the front bracket though a lot of people (probably most people) toss them,,, it ain't right. More than likely someone previously decided that it wasn't necessary because they were so damn lazy they didn't want to dick with it so threw the original away. That's exactly what the longer stud on the front of the starter plus the cast in threaded hole in the block right above it is for. I've made brackets from a small piece of maybe 1/2" or 5/8" strap.
Going again from memory, first find a short bolt with washer and lock washer to fit into the block (it may be in there still). The bolt only has to be about 3/8" - 1/2" long. Make sure it doesn't bottom out before tightening up on the new strap or you'll either strip the hole in the block or have a loose bracket. Take the piece of strap (maybe 3" long) and drill a hole near the end so your block bolt will fit through. Crank it into your vise maybe 3/4" below what will be your top hole and twist the strap 90 degrees. Just snug it up so it's held forward and mount your starter whith the rear bolts. Put a dab of grease or paint or something on the starter stud and swing the new bracket down to make a mark. Remove the new bracket and drill the new lower hole that attaches to the starter stud slightly oversize because it'll have to swing over the stud. Use some common sense because it's not rocket surgery but it'll probably take a little bending to make the home made bracket fit. Use washers and lock washers and your starter will thank you for the support..

jimfulco · 07-24-2005, 03:48 AM

My '69 Nova came from the factory without one, but that doesn't make it right.

squint · 07-24-2005, 03:56 AM

thats what i figured.. I went to the auto parts store and they never had one.. so i guess i will make my own..

Also.. I am having a heck of a time with the starter..I dont understand it..

I have it all hooked up and everything but I cant for the life of me get the damn thing shimmed properly.. I dont know whats going on.. I have like 10 shimms in there now and its still hanging up on the flywheel......

???????????????????????????????????

piecesparts · 07-25-2005, 01:33 PM

NO front bracket------Bolt the starter with the two bolts in the rear and use a feeler wire to check the clearance of the starter gear to the flexplate, that's all. Drive in piece. On ALL of the Chevy engines I have never had a front bracket on the starter, must be the Chevy assembly line was to lazy to put it in at the factory.

07-23-2005, 11:23 AM	#1
squint Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Vancouver Posts: 195	Starter Questions I am installing a new starter tomorrow.. 1. When I took my old starter out there was no piece from the starter to the block... should there be a bracket in there to steady the starter?.. 2. I installed a new Starter Flexplate also.. Whats the normal Shimmy setting for our trucks.. where's a good place to start? Thanks..

07-23-2005, 11:33 AM	#2
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	ive never had a bracket to the block... __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

07-23-2005, 11:48 AM	#3
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	I just replaced the starter on my truck. It made a whirl of difference. (No pun intended.) I was able to loosen and disconnect the wires while the starter was still attached to the block. I then loosened and removed the two bolts holding the starter to the block. I had no other brackets or supports. I cleaned the two long bolts and the wire connectors. Then install the new starter in the reverse order. GM recommends a clearance between 0.020" to 0.060" They recommend a 0.020" wire guage to set the clearance. You could also use a paper clip which is around 0.030". Good luck. __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

07-23-2005, 11:55 AM	#4
82c10 needin' money Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chickasha, Oklahoma Posts: 1,106	don't forget to undo the battery __________________ *SWB Stands for Short Wide Bed*

07-23-2005, 11:29 PM	#6
MM in NM Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 25	You should have the front bracket though a lot of people (probably most people) toss them,,, it ain't right. More than likely someone previously decided that it wasn't necessary because they were so damn lazy they didn't want to dick with it so threw the original away. That's exactly what the longer stud on the front of the starter plus the cast in threaded hole in the block right above it is for. I've made brackets from a small piece of maybe 1/2" or 5/8" strap. Going again from memory, first find a short bolt with washer and lock washer to fit into the block (it may be in there still). The bolt only has to be about 3/8" - 1/2" long. Make sure it doesn't bottom out before tightening up on the new strap or you'll either strip the hole in the block or have a loose bracket. Take the piece of strap (maybe 3" long) and drill a hole near the end so your block bolt will fit through. Crank it into your vise maybe 3/4" below what will be your top hole and twist the strap 90 degrees. Just snug it up so it's held forward and mount your starter whith the rear bolts. Put a dab of grease or paint or something on the starter stud and swing the new bracket down to make a mark. Remove the new bracket and drill the new lower hole that attaches to the starter stud slightly oversize because it'll have to swing over the stud. Use some common sense because it's not rocket surgery but it'll probably take a little bending to make the home made bracket fit. Use washers and lock washers and your starter will thank you for the support.. Last edited by MM in NM; 07-23-2005 at 11:58 PM.

07-23-2005, 11:07 PM	#5
squint Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Vancouver Posts: 195	hmm.. ok odd.. I have a friend who is a mechanic and he said there was supposed to be a metal strap like thing that bolds the back of the starter to the block so that it doesn't move.. I duno.. I guess i wont worry about it. Whats the best way to shimmy it up? thanks..

07-24-2005, 03:48 AM	#7
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	My '69 Nova came from the factory without one, but that doesn't make it right.

07-24-2005, 03:56 AM	#8
squint Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Vancouver Posts: 195	thats what i figured.. I went to the auto parts store and they never had one.. so i guess i will make my own.. Also.. I am having a heck of a time with the starter..I dont understand it.. I have it all hooked up and everything but I cant for the life of me get the damn thing shimmed properly.. I dont know whats going on.. I have like 10 shimms in there now and its still hanging up on the flywheel...... ???????????????????????????????????

07-25-2005, 01:33 PM	#9
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	NO front bracket------Bolt the starter with the two bolts in the rear and use a feeler wire to check the clearance of the starter gear to the flexplate, that's all. Drive in piece. On ALL of the Chevy engines I have never had a front bracket on the starter, must be the Chevy assembly line was to lazy to put it in at the factory. Last edited by piecesparts; 07-25-2005 at 01:35 PM.



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