The car is a 79 with a turbo 400 and high performance Torque Convertor (unknown make or stall)

The engine starts instantly. As soon as the engine starts there is a brief second of a VERY LOUD screech, then no more screeching. It happens on every start.

The PO had a new starter put on last fall trying to eliminate the screech. The new starter did nothing to stop the screech. There were no shims on the starter. I bought a pack of shims; .060", .040", .020". I started to add shims with the .020" and then added the .040" shim and finally the .060" shim. Nothing stopped the screech on start, even with the total shim pack of .120".

Taking a long shot that the replacement starter might be having a problem in the starter drive, I bought a new NAPA starter. Installed it with no shims, screech on start same as before. I then added shims one at a time, back to the total of .120" (3 shims), still the screech on start.

The screech is VERY loud when the engine starts and as mentioned only lasts a second or less. I checked the ring gear on the flex plate. It looks like new, no wear whatsoever. Maybe a new flexplate was added when the Turbo 400 was put in. The PO did not do the Turbo 400 swap, it happened sometime before he owned the car.

I have searched, but find no problem that duplicates this problem with no resolution.
Suggestions please on what to do next to eliminate the screech.

Thanks
8Valve

 

The so-called "dust" cover under the flywheel/torque converter is also a noise reduction cover and if that cover is missing the starter will be very loud on every start. Put that cover back on and the starter noise will drop to near-nothing.

 

I had the same problem. Changing starter didn't help. Turned out it was the cheap flex plate that I had on it. Once I put a better quality one on the noise went away.

 

Thanks for your post, and I agree. However, the dust cover on or off make little difference in the screech sound level. To give a idea how loud. I am putting new exhaust on the car. The header collectors were open (now new exhaust is on) and the screech is LOUD over the roar of a unmuffled engine.

8Valve

 

Yes, but your engine isn't actually "running" until the starter spins it fast enough for it to start. So regardless if you have open headers or not the starter is the first noise you'll hear and THEN the running engine. Do you have that noise reduction/dust cover on it or not?

 

Yes, the dust cover is on and in place. The screech noise is almost simultaneous with the actual start. The engine really does not crank hardly at all. Key to start, Screech and its running.

8Valve

 

Did you ever figure out what was wrong with the flex plate to cause the noise ??

8Valve

 

Don't know for sure but my guess was that either the overall size was a little off or the teeth weren't quite cut right. It was a cheap $20 one. Once I installed the better one the screeching was gone immediately.

 

Thank You !
I wish there was some way to prove the flex plate before replacing it. I live remote and work alone, no hope for help in pulling the Turbo 400. I have a Kwik Lift, but not sure if that is high enough to drop the Turbo 400 and slide it out from under the car. Then the Turbo 400 begs the question, rebuild or hope its ok, I have never driven the car. Ah, decisions

8Valve

 

Are you certain this is the starter that is screeching, or assuming because it happens at startup?

I had a similar issue a couple of years ago, after installing a new motor--swore it was a flywheel/clutch/starter/etc issue....

Turns out is was the fan belt would slip at initial startup...if you have chrome pulleys, this happens often. Either way, take the belts off and either put some dressing on them, or try to start (not run for any period of time) with no belt as a test...

 

Check and make sure the torque converter bolts are tight....they can make some weird sounds if loose.

 

I have tried it with all belts off the engine, still screeches. I used a 8' length of very flexible 1" hose. I taped to to various areas of the engine/transmission, each time listening as I started the engine. Without question the screech was the loudest at/in the immediate area of the starter.

Sstocker, I will check the TQ bolts and flex plate to crank fasteners tomorrow..maybe some are loose ?

8Valve

 

You don't have to drop the tranny. Just back it away from the engine a few inches and you can get a wrench on the bolts.

 

Thank You, that some good news
8Valve