Starter/Flexplate replacement?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 131
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From: Silver Spring MD
Starter/Flexplate replacement?
My car wont start, Again, but a different reason 
I have a feeling it is the flexplate (I presume it is the Auto equivalent to a manual flywheel?) The starter works (turns on) spins, but has a grinding noise. I manually turned the engine a little (man this thing doesnt wanna move) to try and pass the predicted bad spot. I believe I got the starter to engage and turn the engine just to get stuck again I think in the same spot. i think I need a new flexplate.
now for my questions:
Can anyone confirm my symptoms/diagnosis please?
What are the stock spec's for the 1985 auto l98 flexplate (#teeth)?
If i replace both starter and flexplate, does it matter 153 or 168 teeth as long as the pair match?
What are some good brands of Flex plates or places to find them or does it really matter?
thanks a lot, i just want to clear up confusion and get nice solid reliable starts... FINALLY btw i heard mini starters sound good/different? true?
I have a feeling it is the flexplate (I presume it is the Auto equivalent to a manual flywheel?) The starter works (turns on) spins, but has a grinding noise. I manually turned the engine a little (man this thing doesnt wanna move) to try and pass the predicted bad spot. I believe I got the starter to engage and turn the engine just to get stuck again I think in the same spot. i think I need a new flexplate.
now for my questions:
Can anyone confirm my symptoms/diagnosis please?
What are the stock spec's for the 1985 auto l98 flexplate (#teeth)?
If i replace both starter and flexplate, does it matter 153 or 168 teeth as long as the pair match?
What are some good brands of Flex plates or places to find them or does it really matter?
thanks a lot, i just want to clear up confusion and get nice solid reliable starts... FINALLY btw i heard mini starters sound good/different? true?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Check the starter alignment also. If its too close to the flexplate it won't engage properly.
You can remove the starter and pull the inspection cover off and experiment with starter placement and check for damage.
You can remove the starter and pull the inspection cover off and experiment with starter placement and check for damage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
By what you describe, it does sounds like you need to play with the spacing as mentioned. Your starter should have come with spacing shims. Not all starters fit the same out of the box, hence the supplied shims. It helps to make a cut out on the shim holes. This will save you from having to completely remove the starter bolts with each shim you try, and instead just loosen and slide the shim in and re-tighten.
Last edited by 86PACER; Feb 23, 2007 at 05:25 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 131
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From: Silver Spring MD
Update
as soon as i looked under the car... the "bell housing"(right terminology?) or the pig nose, whatever it is called, of the starter is cracked again like the previous one was. i am greatly relieved and at this so now i dont believe i have a flex plate problem. what does this mean now? was there too littel gap? because i had 2 shims on the prevoious one and it cracked (not installed by me) and the one i did had 2 shims and didnt engange properly, (it free spun a little). so i did it w/ no shims and it sounded perfect. is it just cheap autozone quality? i think im going to replace it free under warranty for now. then buy a ministarter and return the pos starter.
my flexplate is 153 tooth right?
my flexplate is 153 tooth right?
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
as soon as i looked under the car... the "bell housing"(right terminology?) or the pig nose, whatever it is called, of the starter is cracked again like the previous one was. i am greatly relieved and at this so now i dont believe i have a flex plate problem. what does this mean now? was there too littel gap? because i had 2 shims on the prevoious one and it cracked (not installed by me) and the one i did had 2 shims and didnt engange properly, (it free spun a little). so i did it w/ no shims and it sounded perfect. is it just cheap autozone quality? i think im going to replace it free under warranty for now. then buy a ministarter and return the pos starter.
my flexplate is 153 tooth right?
my flexplate is 153 tooth right?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring MD
i found that proceedure and installed the first starter. ok i installed the "new" starter. i hooked up the neg. cable to the battery and a spark and nothing happenned. nothing turned on. then the solonoid started smoking, so i unplugged everything. I bench tested the starter and the solenoid was definately blown, but the motor didnt work either, i could get it to "engage" but not turn. I hooked up the red wire w/the little plastic thing on it to the "S" terminal, and the other bunch of wires to the big power terminal.
when i took this one out, i noticed that there is a very thick black wire with a weird terminal on the end, the side of it is bent. What wire is this? is it a ground? im going to test it but where does it go?
when i took this one out, i noticed that there is a very thick black wire with a weird terminal on the end, the side of it is bent. What wire is this? is it a ground? im going to test it but where does it go?
