76 Starter Issues
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 62
From: Houston Tx
76 Starter Issues
Hi all, I am having trouble where the starter bendix keeps giving out on my 76. I'm using O'reilly Ultima starters with the lifetime warranty. I originally thought there was a shimming problem and I've tried to shim it several different times and ways. I can't tell if right or wrong cause it seems to sound the same to me when engaging with the flywheel. I've taken the car to a Corvette specialist here in town and he gave it a go but problem still exists. He really just gave up on it. Any suggestions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
Hi all, I am having trouble where the starter bendix keeps giving out on my 76. I'm using O'reilly Ultima starters with the lifetime warranty. I originally thought there was a shimming problem and I've tried to shim it several different times and ways. I can't tell if right or wrong cause it seems to sound the same to me when engaging with the flywheel. I've taken the car to a Corvette specialist here in town and he gave it a go but problem still exists. He really just gave up on it. Any suggestions?
Take the flywheel dust shield off, take the solenoid off, then mount the starter to the block using NO shims. Pull on the plunger and see if the Bendix slides into the flywheel teeth easily. If the Bendix binds in the flywheel teeth add 1/32" of shims and so on until it does slide in easily. When it finally does put the solenoid back on and have a great time driving it.........................
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 334
Likes: 6
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Shims,
starting with the shims, never use them to try and correct noise in the ring gear.....For those that are not familiar with starter issues such as the owner is experiencing as it moves the starter further away from the flywheel and is exactly what you don't need....
You more likely than not need a new ring gear
and the starters are not defective
You more likely than not need a new ring gear
and the starters are not defective
Last edited by Ironcross; Nov 12, 2015 at 04:44 PM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 62
From: Houston Tx
Hi all, I still seem to be having starter issues; I had a new flywheel put in my 76 and am using a rebuilt Delco starter. The problem I'm having now is that the starter is dragging at times. Should I add shims to ger rid of the dragging? Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
dragging is an indication the gear is too close to flywheel.
adding shims moves it further away.
most likely it needs shimmed, their is a specific procedure to set this up.
don't just guess and add some shims, verify.
adding shims moves it further away.
most likely it needs shimmed, their is a specific procedure to set this up.
don't just guess and add some shims, verify.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,220
Likes: 1,671
From: Long Island
When the Bendix fails it MAY also be a heat issue, especially if there are headers or an aftermarket exhaust.
I put a heat shield on a friends 69 problem solved. (jegs, speedway, etc)
I put a heat shield on a friends 69 problem solved. (jegs, speedway, etc)
Last edited by BLUE1972; Jan 26, 2017 at 12:18 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,402
Likes: 8,209
From: Napa Valley California
Over the years I found that changing starters seemed to be the cause of my issues. Spend the additional costs and purchase a "new" not re-manufactured starter. You never know what abuse the starter you get has been though. Has it been over torqued, dropped, exposed to extreme heat etc... If needed, shim the "new" starter correctly and your set. When the time comes to replace the starter, take it to someone who will rebuild your starter for you so you retain your original housing and be sure the re-builder is only replacing the internals. Replace the starter bolts every time you replace the starter, make sure you put the correct bolts in the correct holes and torque them to manufactures specs. Keep in mind that bolts stretch and twist every time they get torqued. This may seem overkill but thousandths of an inch can make the difference on the starter gear properly engaging the flywheel. Just my experience and what has worked for me.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 62
From: Houston Tx
Points taken; I do have aftermarket headers on the car; I will start with a heat shield; The dragging does not happen all the time and it does seem to happen after the car as been ran for a while and the engine is hot; Thanks. I'll post what comes of it.