I have recently done and engine swap, I pulled a 383 stroker out of an 89 camaro and put it into a 92 v6 fuel injected camaro. I have everything bulted up and wired. But now im at the point where im trying to start the engine and am having problems... Sometimes the starter will just click because it keeps getting stuck, so ill hit it and nock it back out try again same thing. So I went and bought shimms for it, it works a little better but but still getting stuck, and when it does turn the fly wheel my engine wont turn over. Now im at the point where it doesnt seem like any power is getting to my car, no lights and the starter wont do anything, but the battery is good. any thoughts? Im assuming the porblem with the lack of power could be my fuseable links fried but i havnt checked that ran out of light today. But does anyone have any ideas as to why it wont turn over and keeps sticking?

 

First thing I'd suspect is the main battery cable to the starter, not all that unusual for this to get corroded at one end and cause this. Might take the starter to a parts store, Autozone for one will test the starter with a pretty good piece of diagnostic equipment, for free.

 

Have done both of these both are fine.

 

Ok, if it works outside of your car, then more than likely the problem is with your car. I would try to jump the starter with it in place. Make sure vehicle is properly supported & trans in neutral or park. Use a fused jumper wire from the bat cable on the starter to the "S" terminal (pretty sure it's "S"). This should engage the solenoid, push out the Bendix drive and spin the starter (& engine). If you just hear it click and bang, then the teeth on the starter are probably hitting the flywheel & not engaging - may need more shimming. If everything works fine, then I would work back from the starter on a wiring issue (ign switch to solonoid). Need more detective work. You also mentioned no power sometimes - make sure the battery connections are all secure & fusible links on the wires attached to the starter are good - test on both sides of link. Also try to turn your engine over by hand to make sure it's not locked up & you don't have a bad spot on the flywheel.
Corky

 

Alright guys im an idiot... I did some research and found out that they remoted the coil that supplies power to my distributor, and i didnt have the hot wire wired up.... so that solves why my engine was turning over but not starting, now i need to figure out the random problems with my starter (needs more shimming im assuming).

 

Well, that has got to be some relief for you. Now, just play with the starter a little & you'll be back in business. Make sure you inspect the flywheel teeth to make sure they're not chewed up.
Good Luck,
Corky

 

Yes its a big relief knowing the problem so now i can fix it. Yea I inspected the teeth on the starter and the fly wheel both are good.