Now that the mini starter is working..it is sticking in the flywheel and not releasing (engine is not wired to run yet so I don't know if the engine will kick the bendix back out..assuming it won't). How do you shim the starter to get release? Do I shim the whole thing or just shim the corner closest to the block/bendix?

 

The instructions that came with my high torque starter say to shim it so a 5/32 drill bit will fit between the high point on a tooth of the starter, to the low point on the flywheel(or the base circle of flywheel). That is while the gear is engaged. Havn't had any problems in 3 years.
TJ

 

How do you get that 5/32 measurement? The bendix is retracted until energized? Right now it sticks in the flywheel and will not retract until I loosen the starter bolts.

 

on the stock starter motor there's a small hole that you can stick a small screwdriver (or something similar) through to push ther gear over to the flywheel. Then use a drill bit to gauge the clearance.

 

My engine is on an engine stand. With the mini starter installed and the flywheel on the engine, I can use my fingers to pull the starter drive gear forward until it is meshed inside the flywheel ring gear. (In other words I can manually duplicate the function of the starter solenoid.) Once the starter drive gear is fully extended into the ring gear, you can see there's enough room (at least on mine) to insert a small dowel to gauge for clearance.
I have a ZZ4 with the 153 tooth flywheel and the ministarter is the one listed in the GM Performance Parts catalog for the starter.

 

On my mini starter I pulled The gear foward with my fingers and put a screwdriver behind it to push/hold it foward. I then used a paperclip to measure (as suggested by the starter manufacturer) I miced the paper clips (small & large) and found that they were both within range. Shims usually go on both bolts, but you can fine tune by placing on only one.

 

Starter shims $8.00
Screwing it up twice and buying a new starter $69.95
Finally getting on the forum to ask advice.... PRICELESS

Some of the best advice for our Corvettes is Free, for all the other times when I am too stupid to ask for help... there is MASTERCARD.





I just experienced this personally. Seems simple but in reality... IT IS Confusing as hell. Don't forget to install the starter bracket... or the starter will ****. TRUST ME... I found out the hard way....

 

Good info, but my question is still open. If the starter is staying engaged in the flywheel...how should it be shimmed to stop that?

Do I shim across the whole starter (bought a shim kit). Do I shim only the side closest to the bendix drive, or is my thinking off and I need to do the other side. Once I get to that point, I can fine tune for gap space in the teeth as mentioned above.

 

I believe the starter gear not releasing is normal when checking the clearance. It should retract when the engine starts asuming it was clearanced properly.
Here are some instructions, http://www.jegs.com/instructions/555...1-04-20-40.pdf .

Not many of us have wire gauges. Perhaps a paper clip would work but you'll have to measure its diameter to be sure.

 

What is this bracket of which you speak?

I just got a new mini-starter, but haven't put it in yet. I don't remember any brackets on my stock starter when I replaced it the last three times or so. It just bolted up flush (except for the shims).

 

Mandam1200 - glad you pointed out that the gear may stick (Haven't tried to fire the engine yet..just getting the preliminarys done)....and it may be OK as is

 

Of course mine was on a stand, and much easier. If you at least shim it till it releases than you can shim it more if it makes noise while cranking.
TJ

 

The bracket is attached to the "back" of the starter. It then bolts to the engine block to ensure the starter doesn't **** sideways during starting. I just had this issues and the guys here on the forum helped me out. I ordered the bracket and my trouble should be gone. Without the bracket, it seemed as if the starter or the flywheel teeth were chewed up from the grinding sound during start up. It was just that the starter cocked sideways away from the flywheel and was just barely touching when engaged.

As for the starter disengaging... I can tell you if the high torque starter is not shimmed properly... IT WILL NOT DISENGAGE. I had this same exact issue also. During motor break in... I installed the H/T starter incorrectly and I didn't want to stop cam break in so I just let it go... My H/T starter teeth got chewed up real bad. This is why I went with the delco starter instead. I don't want sound over dramatic about a simple starter install... but it is really important it is installed correctly or the same will happen I am sure. I am by no means an expert on this (in the know b/c of this forum) but this is just my recent experience. Good luck...

 

i'm glad you guys brought this up , i've got to reshim my mini starter

 

Instead of wire gauges you can use a drill bit of the correct size (1/8" for stock starter, though I've also seen 5/32" as the stated clearance).
That starter bracket is very important. While searching for the clearance to use I found a picture of a block that had a part sheared off due to the starter bracket not being fitted

 

I have basically the same question. I'm have installed a GM ministarter on my ZZ4. I don't see any provisions for a bracket. The stock starter in my 327/350 68 did have a bracket, but that the for the very large and long old starter design. This bracket wouldn't work for the mini since, for one reason, the mini is much shorter than the old 1968 vintage starter.

I'm using a GMPP 12 3/4 153 tooth flywheel, P/N 14088646, and the GMPP ministarter, P/N 12361146, and it appears that the fit is perfect; i.e. no need for a shim.

 

When I bolted my mini H/T starter, I used one small shim. However, judging by the teeth all chewed up... I should have used a larger shim. I don't know where the bracket would bolt to on this starter. Maybe one could be made? Has anyone with a mini H/T had similar issues with starter moving out of place? I would think if the stock starter can move sideways without the bracket... the mini would eventually do the same... maybe?