Why is Starter grinding when engine is hot
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: MONTREAL QUEBEC
Why is Starter grinding when engine is hot
Hi;
1970 454 vette all original, when engine is hot and I shut it off and try to restart her the starter just grinds and makes a terrible noise and doesn't turn the engine over.
However when the engine is cold it starts like a charm.
Would anyone have had a similar experience and know how to remedy the problem??
Thanks to all.
1970 454 vette all original, when engine is hot and I shut it off and try to restart her the starter just grinds and makes a terrible noise and doesn't turn the engine over.
However when the engine is cold it starts like a charm.
Would anyone have had a similar experience and know how to remedy the problem??
Thanks to all.
Last edited by vette blue; Jan 30, 2007 at 08:09 AM. Reason: more info
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Moncks Corner South Carolina
Alot of people with this same experience, including myself. I just fight through it and eventually it cranks. Not a daily driver, so it's not really that often that I have to deal with it. There was a post yesterday about this same exact thing. Just scroll down through the posts. Some pretty good information in that post concerning starters.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,363
Likes: 5,243
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
The starter drive is probably worn. Less likely is a worn flywheel or both.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Very true, but it's always possible that one of the times the gears were not hooking up properly a few teether were ground off of the flywheel. I would get under the car with the inspection cover off, and turn the crank watching all the teeth until you can say for sure the problem lies only with the starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 13
From: Holly MI
I went through a similar problem and ended up replacing the starter when the gear broke into multiple pieces. My problem was related to the old wiring. The starter gear was not engaging all the way because the solenoid was not getting full voltage because of bad grounds and old wires. The end result was the starter gear and flywheel keep banging into each other until the starter broke. At the same time, I was having ignition problems; the car would not run above 3000RPM.
I know mine was extreme, but this progressed VERY quickly. The car had none of these signs one day, and after one and half sessions at the track (roadcourse) the above happened. I have since rewired all of the power distribution and installed relays for the headlights, and the problems are gone for good. And, I got a new mini starter out of the deal.
Good luck
Ken
I know mine was extreme, but this progressed VERY quickly. The car had none of these signs one day, and after one and half sessions at the track (roadcourse) the above happened. I have since rewired all of the power distribution and installed relays for the headlights, and the problems are gone for good. And, I got a new mini starter out of the deal.
Good luck
Ken
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
You need to shim the starter. Start with an .020" starter shim. Your local parts counter can sell you a package with various sizes.
When she's hot, everything expands and the starter gear isn't clearing the flywheel ring gears and grinding instead. It's probably 'barely' clearing when cold.
Good luck!
When she's hot, everything expands and the starter gear isn't clearing the flywheel ring gears and grinding instead. It's probably 'barely' clearing when cold.
Good luck!
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; Jan 30, 2007 at 05:50 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
Chances are the Bendix drive on the starter shaft is wearing out. You don't need to replace the whole starter, just the Bendix. They are relatively inexpensive and you can get them at any NAPA store (stay away from gypo parts on the starter). If you can remove the starter from your engine, you won't have any trouble swapping out a Bendix.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 899
Likes: 1
From: Kansas
Check all your wire connections,like the ground wire and terminals,also check the ground strap to the motor,
Had a old chevy pickup that did the same thing,changed starters and shimmed and flywheel.worked fine when it cooled but once running and hot ,try to start made a horrorible noise,
Had a old chevy pickup that did the same thing,changed starters and shimmed and flywheel.worked fine when it cooled but once running and hot ,try to start made a horrorible noise,
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Some of this information is good and some is bad. Shiming a starter away from the ring gear is not always a good idea. Many may not realize this fact but the engine almost always stops in the same position every time. Damage to the ring gear and starter drive most always is related to attempted or more often by accident, starter engagement while the engine is still running. However for a engine to crank cold ok and when hot it grinds and makes noise does not make any sense. I would think a check or inspection of the flywheel ring gear is in order.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Iron-cross,..you're aware that a large percentage of Chevy starters in the day were shimmed at the factory,..back when tolerances were fatter. Plus, many after-market starters for 60's and 70's cars will include shims.
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; Jan 31, 2007 at 12:42 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Heres one for you, Did you ever see a shim made out of a 2X4? The owner applied his own fix, it actually had a bad ring gear. 
"Winning isn`t everything, it`s the only thing"
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: MONTREAL QUEBEC
$40 That's great! I'll give it a try and examine the flywheel while I'm at it and inspect the starter gear to flywheel contact to see if shimming is needed.
Thanks to everyone.
Thanks to everyone.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I've heard the NCRS guys inspect a car, they really inspect it. Including what you had for breakfast. 2 days ago.
There are lots of Chevys out there that don't have any shims on the starter. But there are also lots of them that do.
There are lots of Chevys out there that don't have any shims on the starter. But there are also lots of them that do.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I have never seen a small block with them, but that's not unlikely. Now, every starter I have bought includes them...so some people do use them.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
It's one of the problem I had a few days ago.
Someone told me it was because had headers installed and when they get really hot, since the are very close to the starter it ca fry it...don't know if it's true or not. They said I needed a shield betweent the starter and headers.
I got a new starter installed without a shield (would be an extra $70 on a non ending money whole...DUrango boy knows...) and now it starts perfectly fine. Do you have headers on?
Someone told me it was because had headers installed and when they get really hot, since the are very close to the starter it ca fry it...don't know if it's true or not. They said I needed a shield betweent the starter and headers.
I got a new starter installed without a shield (would be an extra $70 on a non ending money whole...DUrango boy knows...) and now it starts perfectly fine. Do you have headers on?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
