flywheel damaged by starter?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 191
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From: Hillsboro OR
flywheel damaged by starter?
When I pulled my engine (to replace bearing), I noticed that there was lots of nice shiny metal filings on the back of the block. Then I noticed that the teeth on the flywheel were damaged. So, two questions --
1. Do I need to replace the flywheel, or can I get a new gear for it.
2. What happened? I replace the starter a while back with a mini starter, is it maybe the wrong number of teeth or something?
Any help on this greatly appreciated.
1. Do I need to replace the flywheel, or can I get a new gear for it.
2. What happened? I replace the starter a while back with a mini starter, is it maybe the wrong number of teeth or something?
Any help on this greatly appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 1
Re: flywheel damaged by starter? (Yellow73BB)
The question is, how badly damaged are the teeth?
It is possible that you got the wrong starter for the size flywheel, but usually that's not the case with ministarters. Most likely, the cause is a misaligned starter. In fact, you may have starter tooth damage too.
When I installed my ministarter, the instructions called for enough space to fit a paperclip between the engaged teeth when you pull out the starter gear. If you didn't do that, then that's what happened.
If the teeth are too bad, then you are looking at a flywheel change at least, and possibly a starter change too, although THAT may be repairable.
I don't know if you can change just the teeth on a flywheel, but I don't think so.
It is possible that you got the wrong starter for the size flywheel, but usually that's not the case with ministarters. Most likely, the cause is a misaligned starter. In fact, you may have starter tooth damage too.
When I installed my ministarter, the instructions called for enough space to fit a paperclip between the engaged teeth when you pull out the starter gear. If you didn't do that, then that's what happened.
If the teeth are too bad, then you are looking at a flywheel change at least, and possibly a starter change too, although THAT may be repairable.
I don't know if you can change just the teeth on a flywheel, but I don't think so.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 6
From: NC USA
Re: flywheel damaged by starter? (MoMo)
The ring gear on a flywheel is pressed on. To replace, a machine shop will chisel your old one off and press on a new one. The new gear cost me $20 but the labor was included when I had my flywheel resurfaced. Not sure of the labor $s just to press it on.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 191
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From: Hillsboro OR
Re: flywheel damaged by starter?
Several of the teeth are dinged at their tips. None more than maybe .030-.040. Maybe I can just file the dinged ones smooth. The ministarter is GM part number 9000786, and the flywheel is 168 teeth (counted them). I think that starter is for 168 teeth, but can't seem to find anything on the internet to be sure, does anyone know?
I didn't do the alignment thing, so when I put it back together I will do that. You just space the starter down from the block till you can get a paper clip between the flywheel gear and the starter gear?
I didn't do the alignment thing, so when I put it back together I will do that. You just space the starter down from the block till you can get a paper clip between the flywheel gear and the starter gear?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 359
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Re: flywheel damaged by starter? (Yellow73BB)
I haven't done a mini starter, but the standard Chevy small block starter comes with shims that go between the starter and the bell housing to set the clearance of the teeth.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
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From: Virginia USA
Re: flywheel damaged by starter? (Yellow73BB)
Flywheels with two different diameters are used on Chevrolet small-block V8, big-block V8, and V6/90° engines. Large flywheels are 14" in diameter, and have 168 teeth on the starter ring gear. Small diameter flywheels are 12-3/4" in diameter and have 153 teeth on the starter ring gear.
The difference in flywheel diameters requires two distinct starter housings. Starter noses used with large diameter flywheels have two offset bolt holes; starters for small flywheels have two bolt holes which are parallel to the back of the block. Most Chevrolet blocks are drilled for both types of starters. If you are changing the diameter of your Chevrolet's flywheel, you can convert your present starter to fit the new flywheel by installing the appropriate starter nose, starter motor housing, found within each engine classification.
John
The difference in flywheel diameters requires two distinct starter housings. Starter noses used with large diameter flywheels have two offset bolt holes; starters for small flywheels have two bolt holes which are parallel to the back of the block. Most Chevrolet blocks are drilled for both types of starters. If you are changing the diameter of your Chevrolet's flywheel, you can convert your present starter to fit the new flywheel by installing the appropriate starter nose, starter motor housing, found within each engine classification.
John
