I've got a starter issue, could use some input

[Poky71c10]

So i've shimmed my starter to my flywheel with the appropriate 1/8" gap. I tighten it down and drive for maybe 200 miles and the starter starts to get the high pitch grinding noise. So i add more shims and then it engages perfect and sounds great. I drive another 200 miles and the high pitch grinding starts again so I add more shims. I've done this process 3 times. Any ideas?

[El Dorado Jim]

sub'd

[custom10nut]

What type flex plate do you have mounted currently? I have found that using the "Standard" flexplate/flywheel begins to flex too much after a short time, so that the starter bendix doesn't fully engage, at first, then it wil catch and start. Replace your flywheel/flexplate with a heavy duty type, and this issue will stop. The heavy duty type is about twice the price, but in the end, it's worth it.

[Sklptrljay]

You could try a starter bracket. That will keep the weight of the starter from pulling it out of place.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Sklptrljay

You could try a starter bracket. That will keep the weight of the starter from pulling it out of place.

Just like this.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537319

[faribran]

This is an excellent LINK. My experience with SBC is you need NO shims. This brace is a MUST HAVE. As indicated in the above link, take a close look at the teeth on your existing flywheel/flex plate.

[custom10nut]

While I agree that the brace will help hold the starter steady, if the bendix doesn't get full contact and maintain it, the problem will persist. If you read the whole thread about the brace you'll see what I'm talking about.

[Gmc.guy]

Do you have the proper bolts? Regular grade 5 will stretch and flex more. Just a thought

Edit- now I see it is on the link

[74baggedbug]

Replace the starter bolts, yours probably have stretched

[biketopia]

Originally Posted by 74baggedbug

Replace the starter bolts, yours probably have stretched

And what size engine is this on? My brother had a similar issue with his 454. Turned out the starter bolts he had were for a small block and would bottom out, they'd get tight, buuuut not quite tight enough, got the proper bolts and never a problem again.

[fatbass]

On my old '71 K10 (350 4bbl, 350 auto), I had this happen. I finally got the starter teeth to engage and start the truck. I revved the engine and heard faint scraping noises so I pulled the cover off (engine still running) and noticed the flexplate was wobbling badly, like 1.5" of runout.
Spent the day sliding the trans and transfer case back, removing the converter, and as I was unbolting the flexplate, noticed the lack of torque on the bolts.
Turns out that when my brother-in-law was helping me put the engine back in it 2 years earlier (!) he put the flexplate on backwards and the flexplate to crankshaft bolts were torqueing against the raised areas that should have been flush against the crank.
I pulled off the flexplate and there was a crack all the way around the bolt hole pattern for the crank bolts and with a light tap of a hammer the whole center of the flexplate popped out!

[72_swb]

I think 1/8" is to much gap. I just did mine a couple months back because of the same issue. 1/16" is more of what you need. Plus some new gm starter bolts if you can find them. Not the cheap ones.

[faribran]

Poky, i am curios. Any headway recently?

[72_swb]

Originally Posted by 72_swb

I think 1/8" is to much gap. I just did mine a couple months back because of the same issue. 1/16" is more of what you need. Plus some new gm starter bolts if you can find them. Not the cheap ones.

Sorry my bad. misread the first post. Are you running a cheap starter?