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I went to start my Vette today and the starter just spun. I thought the starter went so I removed it and the housing was shattered. Also, 1 tooth on the starter broke off. Does anyone know what could have caused this issue? I have a 383 stroker motor and a TREMEC 5 speed transmission in the car. 1 more thing - One of the teeth on the flywheel broke off and the adjacent teeth are a little worn. Is it ok to put a new starter in with a tooth missing from the flywheel?
ouch! Are you running a support bracket on the forward end of the starter? That support bracket is important. If so was something loose or improperly aligned?
As per running with a tooth missing. A lot of people have. But I'm certain it's not ideal. However weigh that against the size of the job to replace the flywheel.
just be sure you have the small flywheel starter. the more common staggered bolt starter is for the 164 tooth flywheel. that starter is for the 153 tooth starter. and i built those starters for years. can do it in my sleep. and i won't touch one. this type..
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?
If you run it without replacing the flywheel, when you shut the car down if it happens to stop exactly right, your starter won’t be able to get that initial movement going due to the missing tooth. You’ll have to rock the car in 5th gear to move the flywheel a bit.
And your flywheel will be slightly out of balance, probably not enough to cause an issue. Probably.
Id try to figure out what caused the starter damage. Was it loose on its bolts? Usually when loose they will tilt a bit and just won’t engage, and you get that harsh metallic clank. But I suppose if it was just right it could do your damage.
Any openings in the bellhousing? If so, a rock kicked up just right and getting thrown into the mesh of the starter and flywheel can do your damage. I’m guilty of running without a bell cover right now but I’ve been lucky so far.
Just to clarify, you do not need to replace the flywheel if only the starter ring is bad. The ring gear can be changed by a good machine shop in a few minutes. Getting the flywheel out of the car, especially with a Tremec is another story. I hope you have a removable crossmember. Good luck. Jerry
Missing brace will cause that, or over advanced ignition timing causing a kickback is also possible.
Looks like a small diameter flywheel due to the starter bolt pattern. I like the PG260 GM gear reduction permanent magnet mini starters. They do require special bolts and the short one may be hard to find. Still worth the effort to do the conversion. They are new - not rebuilt, VERY light, reliable, and cost less than $100.
All, thanks for all the good info and quick replies.
I have a few more questions:
1) The starter did not have a bracket, just the 2 main bolts. Can you send me the part number and a place to buy the backet?
2) DEREK - Did not know there was a small and large flywheel, good info to know. Do you have a part number and a place to but a good quality small flywheel starter?
I will try to run the car with the broken tooth flywheel and see how it goes. The original cross member is still on the car. The TREMEC 5 speed just fits without having to remove it and replace with a bolt on.
With all the energy it took to break that starter housing it took some big problem to cause that damage. I have never seen the snout of the starter break off and cracks in the housing like seen in the pictures. I would gamble that it is likely that the Flywheel Ring gear (sp?) and potentially other parts have been damaged more than just a tooth busted off. It took some serious energy to crack that snout off the starter and it must have made a big bang when it broke off.
I would look at the rest of the teeth of the ring gear and be sure there is not more hidden damage. I would not want the ring gear or the flywheel to come apart under speed as that could get real ugly real fast.
When you buy a clutch for a C3 they always want to know what size the flywheel is on the Corvette. I think they are 10.4" and 11" sizes and vary from Corvette to Corvette. The starters for the most part are compatible with both numbers of ring gear teeth. I had a problem with turning over my 427 when it was hot so I switched to a Gear drive Starter and a MSD Digital Retard Box. The timing is pulled 20* back to make the engine easier to crank and start, once the engine is running the timing reverts back to the pre-set position. I am using High Compression in my 427 and that alone almost requires the Gear drive starters. Between pulling the timing and the gear drive starter my Corvette sounds like an old Chrysler Slant Six cranking real fast. I simply put it on and have not had to touch it for any reason since 2 decades (+) ago when I installed it.
There might be a way to see what size flywheel you have without dismantling the bell housing, lets se if any Forum members have a trick for us! I don't actually buy a clutch until I measured the flywheel this keeps me from getting the wrong Clutch size.
Best regards,
Chris
i think the problem is the small flywheel and that starter were designed for v6, small smog v8's and straight 6 motors. that nose is not as strong as the staggered bolt 350-454 nose. and you have is on a 383 that probably has the compression up and the ignition advanced. without the front brace.the dual-flywheel starter i posted is probably your best bet.
this is the cheap chinese one.you can spend 350 bucks for essentially the same starter but it has a better rep. a local rebuilder can put a nose and bendix on that starter but you would have to find the front bracket. which will take you about 3 minurtes on ebay and or amazon.
Saw this on othercars. Women starting the car at high RPM with key in start position, and 2nd, back fire causing engine to run from forward to backwards.
I have had great experiences with the Powermaster brand sold on Summit's web site. The gear drive starters can handle a good deal of compression. I have 12.25-1 compression and the little Powermaster gear drive starter makes it spin quickly and it always cranks when you ask it to.
Starter Damaged
