C3 starter replacement--apply sealer?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 334
Likes: 6
C3 starter replacement--apply sealer?
Time to replace my starter.
My 1975 GM service manual says:
"On Corvette models, apply sealer around the starter motor where it enters the engine splash shield to prevent dirt and water entry into the clutch and flywheel housing."
I have never heard of applying sealant (or ever applied it) when replacing a starter before. (Wouldn't be the first time I have learned something years after the fact.)
So if needed, what type of sealant should I use and where should it go?
My 1975 GM service manual says:
"On Corvette models, apply sealer around the starter motor where it enters the engine splash shield to prevent dirt and water entry into the clutch and flywheel housing."
I have never heard of applying sealant (or ever applied it) when replacing a starter before. (Wouldn't be the first time I have learned something years after the fact.)
So if needed, what type of sealant should I use and where should it go?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
sealer
Time to replace my starter.
My 1975 GM service manual says:
"On Corvette models, apply sealer around the starter motor where it enters the engine splash shield to prevent dirt and water entry into the clutch and flywheel housing."
I have never heard of applying sealant (or ever applied it) when replacing a starter before. (Wouldn't be the first time I have learned something years after the fact.)
So if needed, what type of sealant should I use and where should it go?
My 1975 GM service manual says:
"On Corvette models, apply sealer around the starter motor where it enters the engine splash shield to prevent dirt and water entry into the clutch and flywheel housing."
I have never heard of applying sealant (or ever applied it) when replacing a starter before. (Wouldn't be the first time I have learned something years after the fact.)
So if needed, what type of sealant should I use and where should it go?
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,231
Likes: 4,324
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
The sealer that Bill describes is shown in the AIM, UPC6, Sheet B2, (in 1971), since the starter was bolted to the engine in St.Louis.
There's a detail and note that cautions that the drain hole in the starter's case is to be left free of the sealer.
Regards,
Alan
The sealer that Bill describes is shown in the AIM, UPC6, Sheet B2, (in 1971), since the starter was bolted to the engine in St.Louis.
There's a detail and note that cautions that the drain hole in the starter's case is to be left free of the sealer.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 334
Likes: 6
Thanks for the note about the drain hole, Alan.
Last edited by C3Hawk; Mar 30, 2014 at 08:02 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Sealant.....right.....60 years of working on cars and I have YET to put the 'dust' shield plate/pan/useless metal back on any car, and have yet to have any failure as a result.....
I FEEL it's a GM CYA move so mechanics don't get hurt when engine running on a lift.....
lawyers, and crap.....
I FEEL it's a GM CYA move so mechanics don't get hurt when engine running on a lift.....
lawyers, and crap.....
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Chandler az
Sealant.....right.....60 years of working on cars and I have YET to put the 'dust' shield plate/pan/useless metal back on any car, and have yet to have any failure as a result.....
I FEEL it's a GM CYA move so mechanics don't get hurt when engine running on a lift.....
lawyers, and crap.....
I FEEL it's a GM CYA move so mechanics don't get hurt when engine running on a lift.....
lawyers, and crap.....
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
The main reason for the inspection cover is to provide a "skid pad" in case you run over something on the road or drive over a curb, etc. Then you have some smooth sheet metal that the teeth on the flywheel can hit without them digging into concrete or other nasty things. 
But, leave it off if you want. It's your car.
But, leave it off if you want. It's your car.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
The main reason for the inspection cover is to provide a "skid pad" in case you run over something on the road or drive over a curb, etc. Then you have some smooth sheet metal that the teeth on the flywheel can hit without them digging into concrete or other nasty things.
But, leave it off if you want. It's your car.
But, leave it off if you want. It's your car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 97
From: Lake Norman, NC
Starter Sealant - Photos?
Interesting. Thanks for this thread, Hawk. Might someone be able to post a photo of the (hopefully original) caulk strip in place, thereby demonstrating just how it is supposed to look?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
The shield is there to protect the internal and external components of that car and the people around it.
Not replacing the inspection cover on a stick-shift car is just stupid.
Leaving it off on an automatic is not not much smarter-
The front of the bellhousing on a stick car is nothing but a big scoop facing forward- Do you really want to ingest any rocks or other debris from the road and either fling it out at someone at high velocity or or have it lodge itself in the clutch somewhere?
No thank you!
Would you mow your lawn without the deflector attached to the discharge? Same idea.
Seems folks like to use all sorts of excuses why they don't put them back on to cover the true reason- Laziness.
For the extra 10 minutes it takes to take it on or off is it really worth the damage to the car or the potential injury to people around you?
Wow.. I must be turning into my father..
To each their own but please let me know if you don't have a cover in place so I can stay away from your car when it's running.
Elm
Not replacing the inspection cover on a stick-shift car is just stupid.
Leaving it off on an automatic is not not much smarter-
The front of the bellhousing on a stick car is nothing but a big scoop facing forward- Do you really want to ingest any rocks or other debris from the road and either fling it out at someone at high velocity or or have it lodge itself in the clutch somewhere?
No thank you!
Would you mow your lawn without the deflector attached to the discharge? Same idea.
Seems folks like to use all sorts of excuses why they don't put them back on to cover the true reason- Laziness.
For the extra 10 minutes it takes to take it on or off is it really worth the damage to the car or the potential injury to people around you?
Wow.. I must be turning into my father..
To each their own but please let me know if you don't have a cover in place so I can stay away from your car when it's running.
Elm
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Mill Hall PA
The shield is there to protect the internal and external components of that car and the people around it.
Not replacing the inspection cover on a stick-shift car is just stupid.
Leaving it off on an automatic is not not much smarter-
The front of the bellhousing on a stick car is nothing but a big scoop facing forward- Do you really want to ingest any rocks or other debris from the road and either fling it out at someone at high velocity or or have it lodge itself in the clutch somewhere?
No thank you!
Would you mow your lawn without the deflector attached to the discharge? Same idea.
Seems folks like to use all sorts of excuses why they don't put them back on to cover the true reason- Laziness.
For the extra 10 minutes it takes to take it on or off is it really worth the damage to the car or the potential injury to people around you?
Wow.. I must be turning into my father..
To each their own but please let me know if you don't have a cover in place so I can stay away from your car when it's running.
Elm
Not replacing the inspection cover on a stick-shift car is just stupid.
Leaving it off on an automatic is not not much smarter-
The front of the bellhousing on a stick car is nothing but a big scoop facing forward- Do you really want to ingest any rocks or other debris from the road and either fling it out at someone at high velocity or or have it lodge itself in the clutch somewhere?
No thank you!
Would you mow your lawn without the deflector attached to the discharge? Same idea.
Seems folks like to use all sorts of excuses why they don't put them back on to cover the true reason- Laziness.
For the extra 10 minutes it takes to take it on or off is it really worth the damage to the car or the potential injury to people around you?
Wow.. I must be turning into my father..
To each their own but please let me know if you don't have a cover in place so I can stay away from your car when it's running.
Elm
