Starter Issues for my 1971
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 93
Likes: 7
From: Granbury, TX
Starter Issues for my 1971
Hey guys,
I need a little experience advice. My 1971 454 with manual transition starter is acting up. It cranks a bit then switches to a whining sound. Eventually it will start the car at present. What are my next steps. Do I just replace both the starter and solenoid or could this just be the solenoid?
Also what are best parts supply for replacements. ZIP ???
Much Thanks
Jeff
I need a little experience advice. My 1971 454 with manual transition starter is acting up. It cranks a bit then switches to a whining sound. Eventually it will start the car at present. What are my next steps. Do I just replace both the starter and solenoid or could this just be the solenoid?
Also what are best parts supply for replacements. ZIP ???
Much Thanks
Jeff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Rut-Row Jeff. Me thinks your flywheel may need to go to the dentist.
With any luck, your issue is just in need of a new bendix.
You need to get the front up on ramps and keep jogging the IGN key until you found the bad spot on the flywheel.
Disconnect the NEG on the batt.
Tag all wires to solenoid with masking tape / Sharpie, snap a photo for future reference.
Remove starter. With a flashlight inspect the flywheels teeth at the location for damaged teeth.
This issue was a somewhat common scenario years ago on these engines. It was usually caused by someone accidently turning the IGN key while it was running.
Isn't that a lovely sound it makes?
Slight possibility that for unknown reasons the starter now needs shims. The gap between bendix & wheel has changed.
Starter bolts were tight, right? Those are special knurled bolts.
With any luck, your issue is just in need of a new bendix.
You need to get the front up on ramps and keep jogging the IGN key until you found the bad spot on the flywheel.
Disconnect the NEG on the batt.
Tag all wires to solenoid with masking tape / Sharpie, snap a photo for future reference.
Remove starter. With a flashlight inspect the flywheels teeth at the location for damaged teeth.
This issue was a somewhat common scenario years ago on these engines. It was usually caused by someone accidently turning the IGN key while it was running.
Isn't that a lovely sound it makes?
Slight possibility that for unknown reasons the starter now needs shims. The gap between bendix & wheel has changed.
Starter bolts were tight, right? Those are special knurled bolts.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
My 350 4-speed has an inspection panel on the lower part of the bellhousing. If big block are similar your could take this off (provided it's not sandwiched between the bell housing and starter making taking it off taking off the starter to remove it) and inspect the flywheel ring gear. If you put the trans in natural you can turn the flywheel with a pry bar (there is a tool to do it as well) and inspect the ring gear. The starter may have shifted as well and may need the bolts replaced. On small blocks these are special knurled bolts and they do wear over time.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
Very likely the Bendix drive on your starter is worn out. It has an over-running clutch on it so that when the engine starts, the flywheel won't overspeed the starter. When that Bendix drive starts slipping, you get that "whine" without any drive to the flywheel.
It that is the problem, your starter and solenoid are likely fine. You just need to replace the Bendix drive on the starter shaft. P.S. If you do this yourself (not a difficult task), you need to get proper snapring pliers for removing that pesky ring (and its keeper) off the starter shaft. Probably a good idea to watch a YouTube video on this task before you start.
It that is the problem, your starter and solenoid are likely fine. You just need to replace the Bendix drive on the starter shaft. P.S. If you do this yourself (not a difficult task), you need to get proper snapring pliers for removing that pesky ring (and its keeper) off the starter shaft. Probably a good idea to watch a YouTube video on this task before you start.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 93
Likes: 7
From: Granbury, TX
I think is the starter also as it seems to be getting worse. When I pull it I will try to inspect the fly wheel also.
Do you have a source you have used to purchase these kinds of parts?
Do you have a source you have used to purchase these kinds of parts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Your local NAPA should have a bendix or at least get you one the next day.
If you do install a new bendix, by all means swap-out the solenoid too! Great time to do it, while its out of the car.
The starter itself will outlive about three solenoids. The poor solenoid does all the grunt work. Applies voltage to starter, engages the bendix, tells the starter to spin and disengages.
All this in extreme heat conditions.
If you buy a new solenoid, insist on a Heavy Duty unit with ceramic cap on the end. They are a little more money but handle the heat of the engine better.
Ceramic cap solenoids are brown.
If you do install a new bendix, by all means swap-out the solenoid too! Great time to do it, while its out of the car.
The starter itself will outlive about three solenoids. The poor solenoid does all the grunt work. Applies voltage to starter, engages the bendix, tells the starter to spin and disengages.
All this in extreme heat conditions.
If you buy a new solenoid, insist on a Heavy Duty unit with ceramic cap on the end. They are a little more money but handle the heat of the engine better.
Ceramic cap solenoids are brown.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,199
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I'm just on here to agree. It certainly sounds like a failing bendix. Easy and inexpensive fix.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
I agree it's most likely a bad bendix, but I also agree you need to inspect your flywheel carefully while you have things apart. The only other thing I would add is to switch to a gear reduction style starter. GM changed over to them in later years and they are vastly superior in every way, except perhaps originality if that's important to you. If you had a small block, I could tell you which starter to get. I'm sure someone here can tell you which one will fit your big block. Or you could go aftermarket if money is no object.
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 93
Likes: 7
From: Granbury, TX
The flywheel and bendix looked good enough. I did notice the existing starter was for a 350 not 454 so I replaced the starter and solenoid with a correct size.
Working great now!
Thanks for the input!!!
Working great now!
Thanks for the input!!!
