Ok so I been having starter problems, I have an 1984 454 out of a truck in my C3.

I've tried both the 1973 454 starter and the 1984 starter. Both Have same problem.

Problem: I get the starter mounted on flywheel making sure to space the arm 1/8" off the flywheel teeth. (shims on the outside always required)
On first crank attempt motor starts pretty easily it seems. I shut it off and try again. Little squeel like a shim needed and then super loud !*BANG*! I get under the car and find flywheel teeth shavings dangling from the teeth of the flywheel. I also notice my armature gap is now about 1/4" or basically a hell of a lot more than I set it at.

I have these bolts as tight as they will go or at least as tight as my wussy arms will turn em. However no matter how much torque i use its no match for that starter when it is engaged.

You can see on the starter where the bolt collar is moving slightly on the surface of the starter. I unbolted it and sure enough you can waller (for lack of a better term) the bolt inside the hole because it has plenty of play. I dont think the threaded side has near as much play if any at all but that head side is moving and allowing the starter to pull away from the flywheel.

Apart from some way of sleeving the starter hole has anyone seen this? Can anyone help me or should I just walk out side and lower the jack with me under the car

 

you may be using a starter for a metric system, Never use shims when the flywheel is more than a paper clip away from the ring gear..In fact a good starter should not need shims....

 

You can lower the jack but do it slowly so you feel the entire pain process. LMAO

Bolts should be tightened to 38 ft lbs.
Couple stupid questions. Are you using washers at the base of the bolt? How much smaller are the bolts vs. the holes in the starter? You are having the same issue w/ both starters?

I had a starter problem a couple months ago. I went through 3 starters sending back and forth w/ Summit Racing before I got a good one. Not their brand and they were great working with me so I'm not bashing them at all. I ended up getting two bad starters and on the third one, I hooked it up with no shims and it worked perfectly.

 

Make sure you are actually using starter bolts, not a regular bolt. Also you should have a brace on the front of the starter to stabilize it.

 

Are you using starter bolts? They have a larger diameter under the head so they fully fill the hole in the starter to prevent the starter from moving. If you ave the correct bolts, the starter can't move.