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Do you always need shims when replacing your starter, or is it just that some brands fit better than others.
I am going to attempt replacing mine this weekend and will be using the new Powermaster XS tq mini starter specifically for the 153 tooth sb chevy.
I would plan on shimming... :lol: but it just depends I suppose. My stocker didn't have any shims, but when I converted to a stroker crank and a 168 tooth flywheel/starter I required shims.
Never put them in though. They're just designed to ease the strain of the starter gear that engages the teeth on the flywheel and prolong its life a little. If you hear that spin-down noise on cranking then have at it (that's the true test).
I feel like a broken record sometimes, but the procedure is detailed in your Helms Manual, if you have one. The distance between the valley of the starter gear and the top of the teeth of the flywheel should be .020 in. My OEM starter didn't have any shims. One thing wrong with this procedure is how you check that distance. To make a long story short, put it in and see if it works.