350 Starter Defect...BE WARE
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
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350 Starter Defect...BE WARE
"The Problem from the 70s, where alot of blocks have the starter bolt hole pattern drilled too far from the crank, and the teeth aren't close enough together to mesh properly."
This is the problem im having. The starter gear isnt close enough to the flywheel and grinds with no shims. sounds awful... broke 3 starters cracked at the noses. I have tried shimming the outside bolt but no luck. anyone know about grinding down the starter so it fits? This is a pretty big defect so beware before you buy a 4 bolt main 350 3970010. All that hard work done and this crap...
This is the problem im having. The starter gear isnt close enough to the flywheel and grinds with no shims. sounds awful... broke 3 starters cracked at the noses. I have tried shimming the outside bolt but no luck. anyone know about grinding down the starter so it fits? This is a pretty big defect so beware before you buy a 4 bolt main 350 3970010. All that hard work done and this crap...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
In fact those are part of the problem, I forget what exact solution I finally went with on this '89 truck block 350 in my car now.....but the flexplate lost some teeth, and when replacing it some time ago, I had to fiddle but good with that starter to make sure it meshed good, one of the things was regular bolts, so to snug them down a bit, and then tap the starter into position then hammer them down tight....
I too, have no shims in there....
I have a mini starter at this time....I think it'a a AZone unit....
I too, have no shims in there....
I have a mini starter at this time....I think it'a a AZone unit....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
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From: Butler Pa
My car is 40 years old and I've had it for 30. Four different engines, 2-350's, a 454 and now a 502. Same starter on all 4, never had to shim anything. Just bolt it on and it works perfectly.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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Burning Brakes
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From: Henrico VA
I bought an Advanced Auto Parts starter and shimmed it until it worked well. Buy a pack of shims and do it methodically until you get the sound you want. Additionally, sometimes you have to half-shim.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
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i have to grind part of the starter off. USing a half shim brings the starter closer to the flywheel but not nearly enough. A paper clip is supposed to fit between the 2 to ensure proper shimmming/mesh. With the bendix fully extended i have .050 easily excessive clearance. The flywheel is brand new and so is the starter. Do a google check... there are PLENTY of people who have had this problem with this casting. Breaking the noses of 4 starters in a row... its all to familiar. Today im going to attempt to use a late model 454 starter. If that doesnt work i heard grinding about .040-.050 off one side of the starter and using a half shim could fix my problem. I KNOW I KNOW... ive used 3970010 plenty of times and have never had to use a shim. This is just driving me nuts!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Anderson SC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Butler Pa
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
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From: Manhattan Beach Ca
I can confirm I'm having this problem with my 010 block. I have to shim the outside bolt only with stock starter.
With no shim, it misses one outa 8 starts I'd say. Havent really studied it but obviously it could be other issues. I have new flywheel gear.
With no shim, it misses one outa 8 starts I'd say. Havent really studied it but obviously it could be other issues. I have new flywheel gear.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
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well i wish mine would start 7 outta 8 times. How thick do you have the outter shimmed? i might have to pull the flywheel i think the teeth are started to get worn down at an even rate so i cant really tell. still havnt shaved the starter cause i tried something today and broke another nose cone. Have to wait til the store gets another in. what a head ache!
