C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Starter Problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 3, 2026 | 03:37 PM
  #1  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Thread Starter
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default Starter Problems

Every time I install a new starter the teeth never go into the flywheel enough, maybe just enough to to rotate properly for while but eventually problems arise and the starter teeth just wear down. I am looking for a longer reach starter, I realize the teeth only need to engage the flywheel/flex-plate about 1/3 of the way to function properly and you can shim the starter to get it closer, but on my last build, a 427ci sb I could only get minimal contact with the flywheel, if anyone knows a LONG reach starter I would be interested to know.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2026 | 03:50 PM
  #2  
Rebelyell's Avatar
Rebelyell
Drifting
 
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 597
Default

Originally Posted by MotorHead
Every time I install a new starter the teeth never go into the flywheel enough, maybe just enough to to rotate properly for while but eventually problems arise and the starter teeth just wear down. I am looking for a longer reach starter, I realize the teeth only need to engage the flywheel/flex-plate about 1/3 of the way to function properly and you can shim the starter to get it closer, but on my last build, a 427ci sb I could only get minimal contact with the flywheel, if anyone knows a LONG reach starter I would be interested to know.
what type starter are you using ? Pics ?
old fashioned, direct drive OE type Delco Remy SD300 aka 10MT ?
OR
modern, OE gear reduction, permanent magnet PMGR PG260 ?

What size flywheel ? 153T or 168T ?
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2026 | 04:10 PM
  #3  
Tampa Jerry's Avatar
Tampa Jerry
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
Likes: 1,975
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Default

Is it possible that the ring gear is warn?
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2026 | 08:51 PM
  #4  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Thread Starter
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

I have a World Products Mowtown block, I have tried a few mini starters when building the engine and on the engine stand I could clearly see that the starter gear in all of them does not come out far enough to engage the flywheel ring more than about 1/8 of a in. and that's OK for while then the ring gear and the starter gear both start to get chewed up until it won't start

The problem could be the block itself, so all I am asking if anyone knows of starter that is advertised as to have a gear that comes out a little further to mesh with the flywheel teeth properly. Or if anyone has ever experienced this problem and what was the solution?
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2026 | 09:23 PM
  #5  
Rebelyell's Avatar
Rebelyell
Drifting
 
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 597
Default

Have you tried a mini that either IS or a Clone of more modern Genuine GM starter patterned as Delco Remy PG260 (permanent magnet w/internal planetary gear reduction) ?

last time --- 153T or 168T ?

last time --- pic of Your starter ?
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2026 | 09:53 PM
  #6  
socal_tom's Avatar
socal_tom
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 368
Default

I use the powermax 9200 have not had a problem and it's American made
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2026 | 10:19 PM
  #7  
Rebelyell's Avatar
Rebelyell
Drifting
 
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 597
Default

Originally Posted by socal_tom
I use the powermax 9200 have not had a problem and it's American made
Seems Powermaster's Powermax 9200 IS a Clone of GM D-R PG260 PMGR referenced above.

However, if any block's starter bolt holes are indexed wrong, no OE starter will fix that.

Although, a local genuine auto electric shop that routinely rebuilds starters on-site, may very well be capable to tweak Your starter to modify its starter-drive aka bendix engage-disengage length.

*** the 800 lb gorilla is often the Wrong pair of starter Bolts are installed.

Last edited by Rebelyell; Apr 3, 2026 at 10:33 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2026 | 10:42 PM
  #8  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Thread Starter
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

Originally Posted by Rebelyell
Have you tried a mini that either IS or a Clone of more modern Genuine GM starter patterned as Delco Remy PG260 (permanent magnet w/internal planetary gear reduction) ?

last time --- 153T or 168T ?

last time --- pic of Your starter ?
168T Hayes lightweight billet steel flywheel
Starter is in a garbage pail somewhere it was a CVR Protorque Extreme
Here's the only pic I have of it.
Here's the only pic I have of it
Here's the only pic I have of it

It's gotta be a mini starer for clearance

Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 3, 2026 | 11:06 PM
  #9  
Rebelyell's Avatar
Rebelyell
Drifting
 
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 597
Default

Of course, cannot answer from afar about Your block's starter bolt holes.

BUT, that starter in pic IS a mini; although it is Not patterned after PG260 referenced above. Me thinks that's a Denso design (it has male pos starter lug on SIDE of solenoid). Or, may be a Hitachi design as well. It does have the big square block of aluminum (that CVR likely made) that's paired to Denso/Hitachi starter. That design does Not have an enclosed nose-cone; which would support outboard end of armature shaft.

PG260 patterns have a solid history of proper Form-Fit-Function without need of shim(s). They also have enclosed nose-cone.

? Can Your World block fit a "staggered aka diagonal" starter bolt-pair pattern ?

*** on closer look, that IS a Denso aka NipponDenso design. And, it does Not have Permanent Magnets; it has old field coils. And, while it does have a gear reduction, it is Not internal nor planetary.

Last edited by Rebelyell; Apr 3, 2026 at 11:29 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2026 | 11:12 PM
  #10  
OldCarBum's Avatar
OldCarBum
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,402
Likes: 8,211
From: Napa Valley California
Default

When I was hunting different starters for my big block, I called and talked with the tech support reps at Power Master.
They were extremely knowledgeable and helped me pick the correct starter for my build.
I’m sure they can recommend a starter with the correct reach and engagement for your build.
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2026 | 05:27 PM
  #11  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Thread Starter
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

Originally Posted by OldCarBum
When I was hunting different starters for my big block, I called and talked with the tech support reps at Power Master.
They were extremely knowledgeable and helped me pick the correct starter for my build.
I’m sure they can recommend a starter with the correct reach and engagement for your build.
Thank-you that is what I was looking for, the CorvetteForum C3 Tech. always comes up with an solution!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Starter Problems





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:01 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE