Mini starter
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 692
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From: Peabody Ma.
Mini starter
Just took out the orignal starter and im changing over to the mini style. It is different from what I took out I have stggered bolt pattern and this one does both, and appears it will work! So my question is do I have to anything to the cover around the fly wheel? and how do I tell if I need the shims? Does the starter remain in contact with the ring gear all the time?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 464
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From: Charleston South Carolina
If you can get under there to look you can measure the distance between the two gears when the starter is engaged by pulling the gear out from the starter with a hook and see how deep in it sits into the ring gear. A rule of thumb is to use a normal paper clip as a measuring tool between the two gears. If the gears bottom out against one another you are to close and shims are required. If you are too far apart (like mine is) then you can try to mill down the mounting surface of the starter to get closer to the ring gear when it engages. I had to pull mine about 8 times already to get it right. It all seems fine until I get it hot and then try and start it up again.....All I hear is grinding and slipping. That's when I know I have to pull it again and take some more off. I've had two Factory starters and two mini starters do the same thing on this block for some reason but my old chevy van needed shims, go figure. It's a teat and tune type of thing, or mabey I just have bad luck with starters.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard/San Luis Obispo CA
If you still have your original block it should bolt right up with no problems. Assuming you used the right mounting holes anyway. When I did mine I had to use the other mounting holes that were right next to the old ones.
I know "should" is a key word there but i didnt have to shim mine, but maybe I was lucky
I know "should" is a key word there but i didnt have to shim mine, but maybe I was lucky
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 152
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