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Aug 14, 2008 | 12:40 AM

c4_4ya

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Pro

Joined: Dec 2000

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From: RDU NC

Starter Noise

After replacing the starter in my 85, it now makes noise as the engine fires and the starter disengages. I put 3 shims on it, and it still makes the same noise, no change. Am I missing something? Should I just do 3 half shims on the inboard bolt? Thanks!

Aug 14, 2008 | 07:07 AM

Vic'89

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 4,870

Likes: 25

From: Long Island, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by c4_4ya

Am I missing something? Should I just do 3 half shims on the inboard bolt? Thanks!

Not sure what you mean here, the shim should go across the starter bolts (both bolts).

Are you getting a grinding sound ? Shims should fix this.

Vic

Aug 14, 2008 | 09:13 AM

rodj

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 8,838

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From: Australia

Old starter or new?
If it engages without noise ,is reasonable to assume you have shims right for gear / flexplate clearance.The noise on startup indicates the gear is not retracting fast enough and is being driven by the engine.Possibly the bendix spring is weak and not pushing the gear out of engagement.

Aug 14, 2008 | 12:22 PM

Square

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 2,940

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From: Chesapeake VA

I had a NAPA starter do this to me (88' corvette starter to clear the LT headers on my 86'). It was always quiet on engagement and always made a grinding noise after the engine fired. I took it back and got a replacement starter, which fixed the problem. Same 88' corvette starter, just a different unit.

Aug 14, 2008 | 01:08 PM

c4_4ya

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Joined: Dec 2000

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From: RDU NC

Its a new one! I've replaced the starter before (a long time ago) and it didn't need shims and made no noise. So I should return this thing? Thanks!

Aug 14, 2008 | 02:56 PM

joeld

Racer

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 375

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From: Lawrenceville Georgia

Do not put half shims at the inboard bolt. Half shims only go on outboard to move the starter closer to the flex plate. Full shims to move starter away from flex plate. But yes on another starter if the full shims do not help.

Joel

Aug 14, 2008 | 10:47 PM

c4_4ya

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Dec 2000

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From: RDU NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeld

is it possible that i effed up my flywheel and now it will always make that noise? I probably only started it a dozen times since the new starter started making the noise.

Aug 14, 2008 | 11:23 PM

joeld

Racer

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 375

Likes: 18

From: Lawrenceville Georgia

The only way to know is to remove the flywheel cover and look at the teeth. I would not think there would be any damage, or very little. But do check before it can get any worse.

Joel