Help - Shimming a Starter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Bovingdon Hertfordshire
Help - Shimming a Starter
Hi,
I've just replaced the solenoid on my starter and taken out the old washers that were being used as shims to mount the starter to the block.
I've put in four shims and that is nowhere near enough.
So the question is:
Is it a problem if I put in 6 shims to set up the correct engagement?
(Not is there a problem - but is it OK to use large numbers of shims)
I guess since it is metal to metal it is not a problem - just not desirable, thoughts please.......
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What was in there before I hear you ask.
a 2mm washer on one side and a 1mm washer on the other - so it was canted over very slightly - thus giving the clearance needed.
I want to try and set it up flat and with the correct clearance.
Jeremy.
I've just replaced the solenoid on my starter and taken out the old washers that were being used as shims to mount the starter to the block.
I've put in four shims and that is nowhere near enough.
So the question is:
Is it a problem if I put in 6 shims to set up the correct engagement?
(Not is there a problem - but is it OK to use large numbers of shims)
I guess since it is metal to metal it is not a problem - just not desirable, thoughts please.......
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What was in there before I hear you ask.
a 2mm washer on one side and a 1mm washer on the other - so it was canted over very slightly - thus giving the clearance needed.
I want to try and set it up flat and with the correct clearance.
Jeremy.
Last edited by langlj00; Jan 13, 2008 at 07:05 AM. Reason: addition
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: WV
I was always told the best thing to do is put exactly in what you took off and you will have no problems. 4 full shims seems like a lot to me and still be to close to the flywheel. But I am not an expert I bought a 75 with out a starter and have been having problems with getting a new one working right. As of right now I have no shims at all on mine. I start it up one time it engages perfectly fine and smooth I go to start it up again a few minutes later and it makes a horrible noise. I get the same thing pretty much with any amount of shims so I am not sure what to do with it.
How are you getting the bendex gear on the starter out to check the clearance?
How are you getting the bendex gear on the starter out to check the clearance?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,355
Likes: 425
From: Seattle Area WA
When shimming a starter, remove the solenoid so you can use your fingers to engage the starter and see how much clearance you have between the teeth of the flywheel and the starter. You can use a .030piece of wire or a thick paper clip and see if it fits between the teeth.
You should only need to add 1-3 shims at the most, if any. It sure sounds like the wrong flywheel or starter combination there if Bubba had washers as shims.
You should only need to add 1-3 shims at the most, if any. It sure sounds like the wrong flywheel or starter combination there if Bubba had washers as shims.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Bovingdon Hertfordshire
Thanks for the replies so far.
Dante7 - I've always been told to check the clearance on three or four positions. You can get a situation where the clearance is correct for one part of the flex plate but is too tight on another. Recommendation is that you set up the shims for the tightest part.
It could be that this is your problem, or that you have some worn or damaged teeth on one small part of the flexplate. Try winding round from the balancer bolt or with a gear wrench whilst watching for damaged teeth. (Might need a second pair of hands for this).
Back to my problem:
It is a reconditioned starter and it doesn't fit as good as it ought to.
The question is: is using 5 or 6 shims a problem.
(I know it's not ideal or normal) - but is there a problem doing this if it gets the right result.?
(I am doing this manually with no solenoid as has been suggested).
Thanks........
Jeremy.
Dante7 - I've always been told to check the clearance on three or four positions. You can get a situation where the clearance is correct for one part of the flex plate but is too tight on another. Recommendation is that you set up the shims for the tightest part.
It could be that this is your problem, or that you have some worn or damaged teeth on one small part of the flexplate. Try winding round from the balancer bolt or with a gear wrench whilst watching for damaged teeth. (Might need a second pair of hands for this).
Back to my problem:
It is a reconditioned starter and it doesn't fit as good as it ought to.
The question is: is using 5 or 6 shims a problem.
(I know it's not ideal or normal) - but is there a problem doing this if it gets the right result.?
(I am doing this manually with no solenoid as has been suggested).
Thanks........
Jeremy.
Last edited by langlj00; Jan 13, 2008 at 03:24 PM. Reason: addition
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 218
Likes: 7
From: Tonbridge, Kent
Hi J,
Had a similar problem with mine had to use a lot of shims to get it right and it was fine for about three months then the drive gear shattered. Are your bolt holes parrallel or offset, if they're offset as you shim out it throws the drive gear out of line with the ring gear. which i only realised when it was too late.
P.s. did leave a reply to your other question about the th200r4 did you see it.
Peter
Had a similar problem with mine had to use a lot of shims to get it right and it was fine for about three months then the drive gear shattered. Are your bolt holes parrallel or offset, if they're offset as you shim out it throws the drive gear out of line with the ring gear. which i only realised when it was too late.
P.s. did leave a reply to your other question about the th200r4 did you see it.
Peter
Last edited by knodty; Jan 13, 2008 at 03:38 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
The use of shims is to get the drive away from the ring gear. And most of the time shims are not needed contrary to some opinions on these forums which are normally wrong. I would recommend to install the starter without the shims and check the clearance. You may be surprised and have a quieter engagement between the drive and ring gear. .....
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Apple Valley Ca.
I start it up one time it engages perfectly fine and smooth I go to start it up again a few minutes later and it makes a horrible noise. I get the same thing pretty much with any amount of shims so I am not sure what to do with it.
How are you getting the bendex gear on the starter out to check the clearance?
How are you getting the bendex gear on the starter out to check the clearance?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
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
