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Shimming a Starter

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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 11:57 AM
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Default Shimming a Starter

How do I know if I have to shim my starter ? It bolted right on and it starts without makeing any unusual noises.
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 12:54 PM
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It's my understanding that all small block starters need to be checked to see if shimming is necessary.
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 01:08 PM
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high pich whine while cranking-excessive clearance
high pich whine after key is released-not enough clearance
starter motor grinds, engine does not crank-too tight of gap may damage flywheel
If you can get in to measure the gap between the starter gear mesh with the ring gear,(the top of one gear and the bottom of the other as they mesh) it should be between .035"and .050".
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 01:12 PM
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Sounds like you're OK. The starter I had on my 327 sounded fine, but when I bolted it to my 383 (different block and flywheel) it made this awful screeching sound Put in a .090 shim, and now it sounds quiet like it should!
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 02:00 PM
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Here is a web page that gives some good information on starters.

http://www.jegs.com/instructions/555...1-04-20-40.pdf
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 682XLR8
Sounds like you're OK. The starter I had on my 327 sounded fine, but when I bolted it to my 383 (different block and flywheel) it made this awful screeching sound Put in a .090 shim, and now it sounds quiet like it should!
How are you suppose to check it with a 4-speed? Taking off the flywheel cover did nothing. You can't even see the starter gear. Did I miss something?
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Old Jul 5, 2006 | 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by 82Fuelie
it starts without makeing any unusual noises.
than it's fine - leave it alone
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 12:31 PM
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You should be OK if it starts right up and doesn't make noise. I think the procedure is to bolt it up without any shims and if it works fine then let it be...if not then you have to shim until you don't get any noise.
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Duke94
How are you suppose to check it with a 4-speed? Taking off the flywheel cover did nothing. You can't even see the starter gear. Did I miss something?
I should have said flexplate(as in auto) instead of flywheel. Sorry if I caused any confusion.
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 02:45 PM
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Well i have a starter problem... When i start it it makes a high pitched ZZZINNNNNGGGGGG.... My dad told me that it needs to be shimmed, and he was right. Last bubba put in a new starter and never put shims in... Anybody know the right shim for a corvette, napa said they have 3 differnt styles that could be for mine, anybody know the exact part number through napa, or dimentions and thickness's i need??
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Old Jul 6, 2006 | 02:59 PM
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If theres no noise it's not broken, it your vette starts then it's not broken. If it's not broken, don't fix it! It's fine....
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