PMGR mini starter
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
PMGR mini starter
I recently installed a PMGR mini starter on my new 406 which is being prepared for breaking in. The starter is for a staggerd bolt and 168 tooth flywheel. This type of starter has a snout with an opening where the starter pinion slides out on the armature shaft to engage the flywheel.
It looks like the flywheel is to far away from the starter gear to allow it to engage. Should the flywheel be located around the middle of this opening? My flywheel just barely clears the edge of the opening nearest the tip. Is this normal? Just trying to get advice before I remove the original starter from my 77 vette to check the fit.
I was hesitant to put power to the starter because the engine is still on the stand. I tried to pull the starter gear out but it kept sliding back in. Unless the pinion slides all the way out to the very end of the armature shaft it will never engage the flywheel.
It looks like the flywheel is to far away from the starter gear to allow it to engage. Should the flywheel be located around the middle of this opening? My flywheel just barely clears the edge of the opening nearest the tip. Is this normal? Just trying to get advice before I remove the original starter from my 77 vette to check the fit.
I was hesitant to put power to the starter because the engine is still on the stand. I tried to pull the starter gear out but it kept sliding back in. Unless the pinion slides all the way out to the very end of the armature shaft it will never engage the flywheel.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 923
Likes: 164
From: Hudson NH
I'm assuming PMGR = PowerMaster gear reduction starter. I purchased one about 2 years ago after having been stranded 1 too many times from heat soak w/ the factory GM unit.
The first PM mini starter I purchased did not fully extend the pinion gear. I compared this on the bench to the GM unit using a battery charger connected to the Swithc terminal and the difference in fully extended length was significant. Mine was defective as I could manually pull the pinion further than I could by applying 12VDC.
I replaced mine thru the local speed shop and the 2nd unit has much better epinion extension, although it is still less than the factory GM unit.
PowerMaster customer service was less than helpful. I will not be purchasing any more PM products.
Good luck
Mark
The first PM mini starter I purchased did not fully extend the pinion gear. I compared this on the bench to the GM unit using a battery charger connected to the Swithc terminal and the difference in fully extended length was significant. Mine was defective as I could manually pull the pinion further than I could by applying 12VDC.
I replaced mine thru the local speed shop and the 2nd unit has much better epinion extension, although it is still less than the factory GM unit.
PowerMaster customer service was less than helpful. I will not be purchasing any more PM products.
Good luck
Mark
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
The first PM mini starter I purchased did not fully extend the pinion gear. I compared this on the bench to the GM unit using a battery charger connected to the Swithc terminal and the difference in fully extended length was significant. Mine was defective as I could manually pull the pinion further than I could by applying 12VDC.
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 923
Likes: 164
From: Hudson NH
Shims only help with the engagement depth of the pinion -- not the fore and aft engagement from insufficient travel. Fore and aft engagement when pinion is fully extended is short of ring gear center. Ideally I'd like to have another 1/8" - 1/4" engagement rearward.
I ended up using 2 shims to set engagement depth.
Good luck,
Mark
I ended up using 2 shims to set engagement depth.
Good luck,
Mark
