Starter Motor Fun!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Starter Motor Fun!
For some strange reason, I went to start my 74 L48 auto last month, and nothing. Popped the hood, looked at the starter to see the solenoid plastic cap had cracked in half. So I went to my local Chevy parts place and got a replacement solenoid. Went to drop the starter, and the nose had snapped off as well! Got me buggered as to how it happened, as the car was going great. I had the starter rebuilt by my auto-electrician a few months earlier.
So, I gave up, and went on vacation!
But then other issues forced me to shoot back to town, buy a reman starter, bolt her up, and go back on vacation. Along the way I've learned a heap about starters, shims, etc, so it's been a voyage of discovery, but has anyone else had to file down the starter where it mounts against the block to get the clearance right?
So, I gave up, and went on vacation!
But then other issues forced me to shoot back to town, buy a reman starter, bolt her up, and go back on vacation. Along the way I've learned a heap about starters, shims, etc, so it's been a voyage of discovery, but has anyone else had to file down the starter where it mounts against the block to get the clearance right?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Uhhh.....no. Does your starter have a front support bracket on it? If not, it will be difficult maintaining the right gear mesh; and other 'things' might happen, if the front of the starter is not mounted properly.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
That's true, But it's never had a front bracket. The bolts are correct (knurled) and clean as a whistle. Plus torqued to 35-40lb. When researching, I've found that it's not uncommon to have to file the odd one down. Just beware that you may have to to get your clearance right.
BTW, I will add a front bracket, but that alone wouldn't get the bendix closer to the flex plate!
BTW, I will add a front bracket, but that alone wouldn't get the bendix closer to the flex plate!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
That front bracket is what positions the starter 'axially' (horizontal position relative to the engine). Without it, the starter will take whatever position it will, depending on how flat the engine/starter mating surfaces are (or whatever junk is between them). It also prevents the weight of the starter from rebound forces when you drive over/hit a big bump AND is intended to be the source for electrical ground for the starter (the large grounding cable is to be attached to the engine mounting bolt for that bracket).
That may fix whatever alignment issues you think you have with your starter. Or, you may have some other issue with that starter or its assembly.
That may fix whatever alignment issues you think you have with your starter. Or, you may have some other issue with that starter or its assembly.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 51
From: Dallas TX
I didn't have any issues installing mine (re. clearance) but the old one looked very different from the one I was installing. Took the old one to the store and they were confused too. A little research later and we discovered it was off of an old boat. Thanks Bubba!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
That front bracket is what positions the starter 'axially' (horizontal position relative to the engine). Without it, the starter will take whatever position it will, depending on how flat the engine/starter mating surfaces are (or whatever junk is between them). It also prevents the weight of the starter from rebound forces when you drive over/hit a big bump AND is intended to be the source for electrical ground for the starter (the large grounding cable is to be attached to the engine mounting bolt for that bracket).
That may fix whatever alignment issues you think you have with your starter. Or, you may have some other issue with that starter or its assembly.
That may fix whatever alignment issues you think you have with your starter. Or, you may have some other issue with that starter or its assembly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
NEVER heard of having to file the starter down to fit, something else going on here to need this filing. Are you running the original motor & flywheel??? Any changes done since the car left the factory??
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Matching numbers. Nothing different there. The old starter was fine. The replacement was a silver color. Googled the initial problem, and found that some guys have had to file. And now I'm one as well.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
You need a ring gear
I would bet that your answer is in the ring gear..the teeth are probably worn and that can also break the nose off the starter...any one grinding the nose to get the drive closer to the ring gear is a BIG mistake...This condition will only get worse and happen again.......change the flywheel ring gear and solve your issue .....:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
I would bet that your answer is in the ring gear..the teeth are probably worn and that can also break the nose off the starter...any one grinding the nose to get the drive closer to the ring gear is a BIG mistake...This condition will only get worse and happen again.......change the flywheel ring gear and solve your issue .....:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
should of kept the original starter and rebuilt it, if the armature and field are good, then the rest of the parts are real cheap. It takes about 30-45 minutes to rebuild, alittle more if you want it painted.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand