1972 Starter dilemna

[rclapper]

I have an original 72 C10 LWB 2wd with a 350, 3 speed manual and factory ac with a noisy starter. I had the starter rebuilt but no change, then had a new clutch, pressure plate, flywheel resurfaced and turned the original ring gear over, still no change except now starter engagement is spotty. Removed the starter, had it rechecked, no problem. The starter bolts to the bell housing, 3 bolt pattern and when I crossed the part number it crosses to a 69 Z28 302 starter. There is no starter listed for my application, I've checked everywhere for a replacement. The 'book' replacement version bolts to the block which I have and it does bolt up and appears to be fine, possibly needing a shim but I haven't hooked it up and tried it yet. Anyone heard of such an issue? I've owned many of these trucks but this is a first. This question is long but condensed considerably.

[67 chevelle]

When installed you should be able to put a paperclip in-between starter gears and flywheel teeth it should be snug not loose , if it wont go you need a shim-shims

[toolboxchev]

Yea, second that on shims, I tend to believe its a bit more than a paper clip in size.

When you buy a new starter there is a small diameter rod usually in the packaging.

[bluek5]

A new starter should be easy enough to find.
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/c...le.com+URL+%2F

[rclapper]

Thanks to all of you for your advice and the starter shown from Blue K5 appears correct but also looks the same as the one that I took off that is noisy. I'm going to proceed with the one that I have that bolts to the block and use your guidelines for shims, I'll keep you posted. As I said my initial post is very condensed, I have the most experienced technician I know scratching his head.

[davepl]

Is there any chance that your flexplate is on backwards? It's an easy mistake to make if the motor has been out, and it causes perpetual starter engagement issues that can't be fixed with simple shimming. Just something to keep in mind if it doesn't shim out properly.

[hamjet]

Originally Posted by davepl

Is there any chance that your flexplate is on backwards? It's an easy mistake to make if the motor has been out, and it causes perpetual starter engagement issues that can't be fixed with simple shimming. Just something to keep in mind if it doesn't shim out properly.

Flywheel...

[davepl]

Originally Posted by hamjet

Flywheel...

That'd make a lot of noise if it were on backwards, so likely not :-) I guess the "3 speed" gave that away, if I had read a little more closely...

[i82much]

Have you replaced the starter bolts? They are special bolts with knurling to keep the starter from walking back and forth. I put some retaining compound on my new starter bolts to make it as rigid as possible.

[hamjet]

you commented it was noisy and then turned the ring gear over. is that because the ring gear was worn? turning the original ring around may have not helped your problem if it still had bad wear to the teeth. try shims, if that doesn't help it may still be the ring gear..

[66clow]

Originally Posted by i82much

Have you replaced the starter bolts? They are special bolts with knurling to keep the starter from walking back and forth. I put some retaining compound on my new starter bolts to make it as rigid as possible.

I'm about to try this on my starter. I read on another site the correct bolts fixed their problem. Generic bolts allowed the starter to move around.

[B. W.]

Forget about shimming the three bolt nose starter - it will not adjust the backlash between the starter & the flywheel. (it will adjust depth of engagement but that's not the issue) X2 with hamjet - replace the flywheel