Starter help needed
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
Starter help needed
Hi all,
A while back I instaled TPIS headers on my 86'. I also installed a generic Chevy small block mini-starter to make it easier to change in the future due to the tight fit with the headers. Ever since then the starter has never been quite right. I had it shimmed a couple of times, but it still misses (making that grinding noise) and sometimes makes a very loud and violent "gank!" noise, almost like the car is coughing.
Tonight I took the flywheel cover off and took a few shots. Some of the teeth are chipped, but all of the chipping is on the edge as if the starter bendix (I think that is the name of the piece that comes out and engages the flywheel) isn't coming out far enough.
Anyway, please check out the pics and tell me if you think I need a new starter, new flywheel or both. Would a specific Corvette starter (like the 88' and up starters) be a possible solution?
some of the pics are larger so I will post links to the pics.
General flywheel shot:
http://members.***.net/effergy/vette...flywheel01.jpg
A "top down" shot showing the depth of the chips:
http://members.***.net/effergy/vette...cal_chip01.jpg
and a shot showing the distance of the bendix to the flywheel in the retracted position:
http://members.***.net/effergy/vette...ics/bendix.jpg
Thanks!
A while back I instaled TPIS headers on my 86'. I also installed a generic Chevy small block mini-starter to make it easier to change in the future due to the tight fit with the headers. Ever since then the starter has never been quite right. I had it shimmed a couple of times, but it still misses (making that grinding noise) and sometimes makes a very loud and violent "gank!" noise, almost like the car is coughing.
Tonight I took the flywheel cover off and took a few shots. Some of the teeth are chipped, but all of the chipping is on the edge as if the starter bendix (I think that is the name of the piece that comes out and engages the flywheel) isn't coming out far enough.
Anyway, please check out the pics and tell me if you think I need a new starter, new flywheel or both. Would a specific Corvette starter (like the 88' and up starters) be a possible solution?
some of the pics are larger so I will post links to the pics.
General flywheel shot:
http://members.***.net/effergy/vette...flywheel01.jpg
A "top down" shot showing the depth of the chips:
http://members.***.net/effergy/vette...cal_chip01.jpg
and a shot showing the distance of the bendix to the flywheel in the retracted position:
http://members.***.net/effergy/vette...ics/bendix.jpg
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
You should be able to fit a 1/2" mm wire between the starter gear tip and the root of the flywheel ring gear.
This is about the thickness of a paperclip.
This is about the thickness of a paperclip.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
How do I adjust the starter? Does this have to do with shims between the starter and the plate that holds the 2 bolts that hold the starter assembly to the engine?
As or the number of teeth, as far as I know that is a stock late 1986 (aluminum head) flywheel. Does that help?
Thanks guys!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
How do I adjust the starter? Does this have to do with shims between the starter and the plate that holds the 2 bolts that hold the starter assembly to the engine?
As or the number of teeth, as far as I know that is a stock late 1986 (aluminum head) flywheel. Does that help?
Thanks guys!
As or the number of teeth, as far as I know that is a stock late 1986 (aluminum head) flywheel. Does that help?
Thanks guys!
Don't worry about number of teeth on the flywheel. If you had that wrong, it wouldn't even start.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
Than it's normal 153 tooth. Shims are installed between the starter and block. Shimming bolt closes to flywheel loosens the mesh, shimming bolt further from flywheel tightens mesh.
Don't worry about number of teeth on the flywheel. If you had that wrong, it wouldn't even start.
Don't worry about number of teeth on the flywheel. If you had that wrong, it wouldn't even start.
If that is the case then yes, the folks I had shim the starter did shim one side, the side away from the block.
I wouldn't mind paying a professional to shim the starter, but all the shops I have asked so far have basically said "uh.. it's 2 bolts and you shim as needed." and have not offered as much of an explanation of the variables as you guys have in this post.
If there is something I can read to help me set it up right, I am all ears (eyes?). Unfortunately it is late and the thunder has started again (storm here) so I will sign off until tomorrow.
Thanks again!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Googled starter shimming, this was the first hit, looks like a good read.
http://www.carcraft.com/howto/2988/index3.html
http://www.carcraft.com/howto/2988/index3.html
