Starter Damaged
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Even though I am a firm believer in incorporating a front starter bracket, I seriously doubt it was the main issue of your damage. The bracket does little to stabilize the starter during cranking. Hence the reason little tiny nuts & bolts are used for the mount. The bracket helps with vibrations and "hanging" weight.
The damaged nose piece is usually a result of improper bendix to flywheel spacing. The correct gap is around 0.030. Ironically, as pointed out in the Power-Master instructions, a heavy-duty household paper clip is also 0.030.
Your new starter bendix needs to be forced to the outward / engaged position and hopefully will be aligned with flywheel teeth. Then insert the wire gauge and snug the bolts down. Recheck clearance and torque the bolts down again. If you cannot obtain the proper gap, a shim will need to be used on the engine block.
The damaged nose piece is usually a result of improper bendix to flywheel spacing. The correct gap is around 0.030. Ironically, as pointed out in the Power-Master instructions, a heavy-duty household paper clip is also 0.030.
Your new starter bendix needs to be forced to the outward / engaged position and hopefully will be aligned with flywheel teeth. Then insert the wire gauge and snug the bolts down. Recheck clearance and torque the bolts down again. If you cannot obtain the proper gap, a shim will need to be used on the engine block.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 6
From: Bradley Beach NJ
Thanks all for the good info. I bought a mini and will install it when it comes in. I will also buy a new flywheel and get that installed sometime in the near future. Just hope the existing flywheel can hang in there for a few more months. One tooth missing and adjacent ground down.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 6
From: Bradley Beach NJ
one more question - If I mark the crank pully where the missing teeth are on the flywheel, I can look at that mark before I start the car. If it is in the matching position where the bad teeth are, I can rotate the crank prior to starting the car to avoid wrecking the starter.
Does this make sense?
Does this make sense?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
On paper, that looks like a wonderful plan. However:
It's been said that a SBC will stop in two known locations on the crankshaft due to the counterweights on the crank.
The odds of yours stopping where the flywheel tooth is missing are real good odds.
I foresee you pulling the hood latch, opening the hood and try to locate a witness mark, and put a ratchet on the crank bolt about 4 or 5 times, At which point you say screw-it and crank it over.
Eventually, you will ruin the bendix.
It's been said that a SBC will stop in two known locations on the crankshaft due to the counterweights on the crank.
The odds of yours stopping where the flywheel tooth is missing are real good odds.
I foresee you pulling the hood latch, opening the hood and try to locate a witness mark, and put a ratchet on the crank bolt about 4 or 5 times, At which point you say screw-it and crank it over.
Eventually, you will ruin the bendix.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,476
Likes: 8,256
From: Napa Valley California
On paper, that looks like a wonderful plan. However:
It's been said that a SBC will stop in two known locations on the crankshaft due to the counterweights on the crank.
The odds of yours stopping where the flywheel tooth is missing are real good odds.
I foresee you pulling the hood latch, opening the hood and try to locate a witness mark, and put a ratchet on the crank bolt about 4 or 5 times, At which point you say screw-it and crank it over.
Eventually, you will ruin the bendix.
It's been said that a SBC will stop in two known locations on the crankshaft due to the counterweights on the crank.
The odds of yours stopping where the flywheel tooth is missing are real good odds.
I foresee you pulling the hood latch, opening the hood and try to locate a witness mark, and put a ratchet on the crank bolt about 4 or 5 times, At which point you say screw-it and crank it over.
Eventually, you will ruin the bendix.
It seemed like 50% of the time the engine would stop on the same spot and the starter would not engage.
Other times it would just start to turn the engine over and the starter would hit the area of the missing tooth and the starter would just spin.
He destroyed the Bendix on a couple of starters before he swapped out the flywheel.
When you install your new starter and flywheel, make sure to follow the installation instructions for the starter, shim it if necessary and properly torque the bolts.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 6
From: Bradley Beach NJ
Definitely going to replace the flywheel in the near future. Waiting on a friend to get some free time. In the mean time I will try to stay away from the dead spot.
Again - Thanks all for helping me make good decisions for my car. It is going to be around for a long time.
Again - Thanks all for helping me make good decisions for my car. It is going to be around for a long time.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,047
Likes: 1,125
From: North tonawanda NY
not this one https://www.amazon.com/DB-Electrical...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== you can't put more than 1 amazon link in a post. runs them all together. post a pic of flywheel damage. if replacing the flywheel, you may want to consider going to the big flywheel and starter at the same rime. is it a man trans flywheel? or auto flex plate? what year and engibe?
I actually use one of these starters myself for 8 years now after fighting with a stock style and then 2 mini starters which where finicky and tore up my flywheel. This S10 style starter bolted right up with zero issues and has better cranking power than the old stock style.
I put this same cheap starter in my uncles 76 about 5 years ago since he was having issues with his headers cooking his old one and the stock style replacement he tried. I guess YMMV.