New mini starter not always engaging
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
New mini starter not always engaging
Bought a new summit mini starter and installed. First few startups went great. Shimmed starter to get proper clearances. Every few starts when the teeth don't align perfectly the starter just taps the flywheel and that's it.
It's a roll of the dice if it starts or not. Any one had problems like this? When the teeth align it starts perfect.
It's a roll of the dice if it starts or not. Any one had problems like this? When the teeth align it starts perfect.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
Likes: 63
From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
The problem with a lot of mini starters is they begin to rotate before they hit the end of the travel. Then you get the dreaded grind when the starter gear hits the ring gear running ***** out before it can seat on the ring gear. It doesn't matter what brand, they will all do it, even if set up correctly. I have seen some of them be fine initially, then grind once in awhile, then grind on nearly every start.
The most trouble free ones ones I've found are the Hitachi ones that Jeg's sells.
The most trouble free ones ones I've found are the Hitachi ones that Jeg's sells.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
It doesn't grind. It's a summit hitachi brand. It just indexes out and hits tooth to tooth longitudinally Into the flywheel. I think it is just a crappy design. The drive tooth end bevel is really nonexistent thus doesn't allow itself to index to the valley of the ring gear and just jams up. But when it, by chance, stops rotating and falls in sync, it starts just fine.
Really odd.
Really odd.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
Likes: 63
From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
It doesn't grind. It's a summit hitachi brand. It just indexes out and hits tooth to tooth longitudinally Into the flywheel. I think it is just a crappy design. The drive tooth end bevel is really nonexistent thus doesn't allow itself to index to the valley of the ring gear and just jams up. But when it, by chance, stops rotating and falls in sync, it starts just fine.
Really odd.
Really odd.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
I had the same problem with a Summit (hitachi type) starter. I tried freakin everything. It would be fine for 500-600 miles, then the starter gear would come out and hit the flywheel right on the side.. The flat teeth non beveled or "twisted" is the problem, that and without the nose cone to support the starter gear when it's extended, I think there is deflection in the gear when it deploys and misses the alignment. Basically, the starter gear is wobbly when it's pushed out...too much play and misses the teeth.
I eventually bought a mini starter from O Reilys, their Ultima brand, lifetime warranty for a 97' TBI 350 with staggered bolt pattern. This starter is way smaller then the summit mini, has a full nose cone and the starter gear has the beveled/twisted teeth.. No shims at all and its quiet as can be... Perfect. Been on there for about 5k miles now. Make sure to use the GM metric starter bolts for it.
I eventually bought a mini starter from O Reilys, their Ultima brand, lifetime warranty for a 97' TBI 350 with staggered bolt pattern. This starter is way smaller then the summit mini, has a full nose cone and the starter gear has the beveled/twisted teeth.. No shims at all and its quiet as can be... Perfect. Been on there for about 5k miles now. Make sure to use the GM metric starter bolts for it.
Last edited by ajrothm; Mar 7, 2015 at 06:54 AM.
