"Grinding" small-block starter
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"Grinding" small-block starter
Posted: July 26 2008 08:00 PM
 
John Cooper (aka aroldfut) [ View ] [ aroldfut@aol.com ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Russellville, Arkansas
(479) 967-0862
 
I recently purchased a truck with an 80's Chevy small-block engine. It makes a 'grinding' or 'gnashing' noise when starting. It doesn't have the 'smooth' sound you normally hear when starting a small block. I have shimmed (stagger-bolt mount) up AND down but I can't resolve the noise. Any solutions come to mind?
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by DavyJ  -  07/26/2008 10:33 PM
Grab a 1/8" cotter pin. When shimmed the shaft on the starter should be 1/8" away from the teeth on the flywheel. While adjusting and using the cotter pin to check position, look at the wear on the starter teeth just in case. I have seen some aftermarket starters that were so bad that they have shimmed one side only to get it close.
Still driving the wife's car, cause I am slow. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Niagara Falls, Canada Charter Member since February 2005
 
Posted by jimmothershead  -  07/27/2008 09:28 AM
John.......do the 2 bolts have the correct knurled shoulders? If not the starter will twist like Chubby Checker.
Jim [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Huntingtown, Maryland
 
Posted by da34guy  -  07/27/2008 09:59 AM
Also ---Does it have the support strap from the starter to the block?

The 1 that nobody ever puts back on !!
Don [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Prescott, Arizona Charter Member since October 2001
 
Posted by driver48  -  07/27/2008 12:02 PM
Anyone know the part number from GM for the support strap on a GM starter. I have had a hard time finding one and the local auto parts shops have been no help. See everyone in Louisville.
driver48 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] whiteland, Indiana
 
Posted by aroldfut  -  07/27/2008 02:37 PM
Well, three things for me to try...Thanks. It doesn't have knurled bolts and the support strap is missing. It's a GM rebuilt starter which I suspect is new because of the 'real' problem. I can make a strap and find the right bolts, which I need to do before heading to Louisville next week. I'll keep you posted on progress.
aroldfut [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Russellville, Arkansas Charter Member since August 2003
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  07/27/2008 02:50 PM
Great timing! I've been going through this on my Model A over the last few days. Shimmed, un-shimmed, realigned, etc., and even turned the flexplate and filed the teeth in question. Finally... after HOURS of working on it with no resolution-- I bought a new starter and flexplate and installed them last night. Still don't have everything back together, but for $57 for both parts it really wasn't worth all of the work I've put into it to try and use the old stuff. I'll let you know how it turned out later.
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by hotrodford41  -  07/27/2008 04:49 PM
If all else fails; pull the Chevy motor and put a Ford motor in a Ford! LOL.... just make it quick so we can go to Louiville!
hotrodford41 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Jacksonville, Arkansas
 
Posted by amswuod1  -  07/27/2008 07:24 PM
? Is the key on the steering column?
If so, is it retracting to the neutral position once you let it go?
If not, it may continue to engage the starter after the engine is running, leading to the starter "gnashing " sound.
Been there.........
Bob D.
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Union, Kentucky Charter Member since July 2006
 
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