Mini starter binding
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Mini starter binding
Took the old stock starter out and installed a new mini.
The mini only came with two shims and that's no where near enough.
Gear engages but binds up, won't turn the engine over, and will not release until I back off the bolts several turns and free up some room.
Looks like it'll need at least four more shims before it'll be anywhere near right.
You'd think that a company selling these things would include more shims....
I'm hoping that Advance/Auto Zone will have some shims I can use so I can finish this bit of wrok up tomorrow...
The mini only came with two shims and that's no where near enough.
Gear engages but binds up, won't turn the engine over, and will not release until I back off the bolts several turns and free up some room.
Looks like it'll need at least four more shims before it'll be anywhere near right.
You'd think that a company selling these things would include more shims....
I'm hoping that Advance/Auto Zone will have some shims I can use so I can finish this bit of wrok up tomorrow...
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 458
From: Lititz PA
I'm sorry that I don't have answers to your question. I'm interested in getting a light weight mini starter but I just don't know enough about them. I have a few questions for you if you don't mind:
- Where did you buy the mini-starter?
- How much do they cost?
- What is the weight difference?
- Any photo comparisons?
Thanks,
John
- Where did you buy the mini-starter?
- How much do they cost?
- What is the weight difference?
- Any photo comparisons?
Thanks,
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
Had the same issue, installed more shims ( 7 ea ) to get the dimension correct ) and it works fine now.
The bolts are long enough , you may need to leave the bolt washer away.
I heard that this is a common problem with the mini starters. The 4 shims supplied with them are nowhere enough.
Rgds. Günther
Had the same issue, installed more shims ( 7 ea ) to get the dimension correct ) and it works fine now.
The bolts are long enough , you may need to leave the bolt washer away.
I heard that this is a common problem with the mini starters. The 4 shims supplied with them are nowhere enough.
Rgds. Günther
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
2. How much do they cost? $62.50 + $13.50 shipping.
3. What is the weight difference? Roughly 10 lbs lighter.
4. Any photo comparisons? Nope.
Best to call them at 423-722-5152.
I see they only have the staggered bolt pattern starters for cars with 168 tooth ring gears on their Ebay listings. Mine is a straight bolt pattern that supposedly works with both 168 & 153 gears. Not sure if they still carry this version or not, but there are many others selling the same thing for about the same money.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I've only worked on one car with a mini and it didnt have any shims. Is the rear of the starter supported in any way ? It would make me very nervous putting in a bunch of shims unless the shims were a mirror of the starter base. Seems like those standard narrow shims could create problems.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
I've only worked on one car with a mini and it didnt have any shims. Is the rear of the starter supported in any way ? It would make me very nervous putting in a bunch of shims unless the shims were a mirror of the starter base. Seems like those standard narrow shims could create problems.
I thought about that as well so the plan is to install the shims until it works properly, then remove and measure so I can use a pieace of flat aluminum bar stock to make a full size shim if needed (if it takes more than 4 shims).
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
My 68 L36 ate a rebuilt starter every year. Years ago I got a Summit brand mini-starter for about $100. No shims necessary... I laughed when I lifted the feather weight starter cuz it was sooooo easy. The car was still jacked up for the install and I turned the key just to see if it would crank. Damn thing fired right up. This is one of the best mods I have made. Saves batteries too.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: League City TX
If the mini starter that you are using is the factory style starter, your problem may not be the lack of shims. It could be the wrong bolts. I bought one of the factory type gear drive starters from another e-bay vendor. It even came with what was supposed to be the right bolts. Here is the one I bought http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-C...Q5fAccessories
I could never get it shimmed right and ate up a flywheel ring gear while trying.
I read another thread here on the forum about this issue that mentioned the bolts and gave the GM part # for the correct bolts.
I picked up a pair and havent had any trouble since. The GM part number for the bolts is 12338064.
They have a larger shank on the bolts so they fit tighter in the starter, which keeps it straight while cranking.
I could never get it shimmed right and ate up a flywheel ring gear while trying.
I read another thread here on the forum about this issue that mentioned the bolts and gave the GM part # for the correct bolts.
I picked up a pair and havent had any trouble since. The GM part number for the bolts is 12338064.
They have a larger shank on the bolts so they fit tighter in the starter, which keeps it straight while cranking.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
I just got the same geared starter from DB along with a 100amp 3 wire alt. I have had the alt in for a month to help with a electric fan, no problems. I was going to install the starter this week.
How many shims did you need? I get the GM 12338064 bolt in the am to have on hand.
Thanks for the tip.
How many shims did you need? I get the GM 12338064 bolt in the am to have on hand.
Thanks for the tip.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: League City TX
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
I couldn't get the GM "mini" to work in mine.
U can look in my signature pix at:http://members.cardomain.com/cardo0 . Look at pix #4 and maybe u can see a large difference in starter gear location that i tried to show. The gear would not even engage and just smacked the flywheel. I wasted 2 days trying every possible way to install the GM "mini" and gave up.
Not sure why as i read of good results from others here on the forum before purchase.
Good luck,
cardo0
Not sure why as i read of good results from others here on the forum before purchase.
Good luck,
cardo0
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
The starter I'm using is like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hi-To...4506.m20.l1116
Messed with it some this evening but still no love....
Also found this while looking around the web tonight:
Left is a bellhousing for a 10 1/2" clutch w/a 153 tooth flywheel & right is for a 11" clutch w/a 168 tooth flywheel, according to the site I found it on.
Difference is obvious by the area where the starter nose goes.
Anyone know if this is correct?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hi-To...4506.m20.l1116
Messed with it some this evening but still no love....
Also found this while looking around the web tonight:
Left is a bellhousing for a 10 1/2" clutch w/a 153 tooth flywheel & right is for a 11" clutch w/a 168 tooth flywheel, according to the site I found it on.
Difference is obvious by the area where the starter nose goes.
Anyone know if this is correct?
