To shim a starter or not.......!!!!!?????!!!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

flyin99 · 12-24-2002, 01:02 AM

I recently built a small block for a friend of mine and installed it last night. I was finished wiring and hooking up everything and went to crank it over and SCRAPE!!!!!!!!!!!...the god awfullest sound of a starter hitting the teeth on a flexplate I have ever heard.......no biggie, right?.................I have shimmed this thing for 2 hours now.............with everything from .010 to .060 of shims and it only gets louder. I take the starter off my truck, which I know is quiet and it also does the same thing. What gives? Any ideas here?

shadetree · 12-24-2002, 01:09 AM

Perhaps the wrong diameter flex plate? The method I use, to check starter pinion clearance, is (with battery dis-conected) engage pinion, and use a paper clip straightened to "feel" between gears. If clearance is OK, the clip will slide between the gears, with only slight drag.

**t korinek** · 12-24-2002, 04:32 AM

The starter is probably too far away from the flywheel, maybe you have the wrong nose cone. In the past I have taken a file & milled off the the part that contacts the block in order to get it closer, but like shadetree says check the clearance with a paperclip, It's also a lot easier to do with the solenoid off.

Arad68 · 12-24-2002, 01:31 PM

When I bought my '68, it had a new starter in it. It made the noise you were talking about though. It turns out that the starter gear was indeed too far away from the flywheel. It had all three shims installed that it came with. I used the paper clip method to measure mine to confirm it. When I questioned the previous owner, he thought that they had to be installed. I took them out and it no longer makes ajny noises out of the ordinary.

crazy longhorn · 12-24-2002, 01:39 PM

For a quick check on clearance, you should be able to slide a 1/8" rod tween the OD of the flex plate, & the armature shaft(a lot of starters come with this 1/8" checker rod). It is not uncommon to find that you will need 3-4 shims under the outside corner only to tighten up the clearance on a chev. Good luck....AL

12-24-2002, 01:02 AM	#1
flyin99 creator of kong Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Kentucky Posts: 538	To shim a starter or not.......!!!!!?????!!!!! I recently built a small block for a friend of mine and installed it last night. I was finished wiring and hooking up everything and went to crank it over and SCRAPE!!!!!!!!!!!...the god awfullest sound of a starter hitting the teeth on a flexplate I have ever heard.......no biggie, right?.................I have shimmed this thing for 2 hours now.............with everything from .010 to .060 of shims and it only gets louder. I take the starter off my truck, which I know is quiet and it also does the same thing. What gives? Any ideas here?

12-24-2002, 01:09 AM	#2
shadetree Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Knightstown, in, usa Posts: 2,525	Perhaps the wrong diameter flex plate? The method I use, to check starter pinion clearance, is (with battery dis-conected) engage pinion, and use a paper clip straightened to "feel" between gears. If clearance is OK, the clip will slide between the gears, with only slight drag. __________________ 1970 long fleet, 355 4 speed, primer, walnut goodies

12-24-2002, 04:32 AM	#3
t korinek Truckin' Krazy Join Date: May 2000 Location: mesa az Posts: 6,193	The starter is probably too far away from the flywheel, maybe you have the wrong nose cone. In the past I have taken a file & milled off the the part that contacts the block in order to get it closer, but like shadetree says check the clearance with a paperclip, It's also a lot easier to do with the solenoid off. __________________ Dealer for: American Auto Wire Precision weatherstripping Dakota Digital Trim parts Carpets Truck World seat covers & Many others Chevy Parts locator in Mesa AZ!

12-24-2002, 01:31 PM	#4
Arad68 Trucks N Tranzams Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 816	Starter shims When I bought my '68, it had a new starter in it. It made the noise you were talking about though. It turns out that the starter gear was indeed too far away from the flywheel. It had all three shims installed that it came with. I used the paper clip method to measure mine to confirm it. When I questioned the previous owner, he thought that they had to be installed. I took them out and it no longer makes ajny noises out of the ordinary. __________________ Don '68 Chevy LB 383 TH400/GV/373 posi '56 Chevy 4WD SWB '64 Chevy short stepside '79 Trans Am 455/TH2004R/12blt/4whldisc 95 Kia (Wifes car) 2002 S-10 extended cab pickup "God punishes small sins immediately"

12-24-2002, 01:39 PM	#5
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	For a quick check on clearance, you should be able to slide a 1/8" rod tween the OD of the flex plate, & the armature shaft(a lot of starters come with this 1/8" checker rod). It is not uncommon to find that you will need 3-4 shims under the outside corner only to tighten up the clearance on a chev. Good luck....AL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....



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