Installing/Shimming a starter
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 3
From: MD
Installing/Shimming a starter
Hey guys,
I've got a C4, but this question may be best answered here. After building my 383 I found that a 168 tooth flywheel will not fit a 4+3 bellhousing. I ended up having a performance shop cut my stock bellhousing to fit the larger flywheel and clutch, and then reinforce it and make a new inspection cover to cover everything. I'm going to get to run an 11 inch clutch and a 168 tooth flywheel on my 4+3 after all. Anyway, with the 168 tooth flywheel I have to use a 400SBC starter. The stock block is drilled to accept either type of starter, but I don't know how to shim the new starter. I don't think it came with any shims either. Any old gearheads out there know what I do about shimming a 400SBC starter?
I've got a C4, but this question may be best answered here. After building my 383 I found that a 168 tooth flywheel will not fit a 4+3 bellhousing. I ended up having a performance shop cut my stock bellhousing to fit the larger flywheel and clutch, and then reinforce it and make a new inspection cover to cover everything. I'm going to get to run an 11 inch clutch and a 168 tooth flywheel on my 4+3 after all. Anyway, with the 168 tooth flywheel I have to use a 400SBC starter. The stock block is drilled to accept either type of starter, but I don't know how to shim the new starter. I don't think it came with any shims either. Any old gearheads out there know what I do about shimming a 400SBC starter?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
the lash in between the gear teeth is what you need to determine.....a rule of thumb is that when they are engaged you should have enough space to put a paper clip in between the gears.....so shim as necessary to get this......you pull the starter gear out by hand to check this...or just put the two shims in like everybody else does and it call it a day....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Here's some info on starters including shimming.
http://www.jegs.com/instructions/555...1-04-20-40.pdf
http://www.jegs.com/instructions/555...1-04-20-40.pdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
the lash in between the gear teeth is what you need to determine.....a rule of thumb is that when they are engaged you should have enough space to put a paper clip in between the gears.....so shim as necessary to get this......you pull the starter gear out by hand to check this...or just put the two shims in like everybody else does and it call it a day....
