I just recently purchased a mini high torque starter from CSR Performance Products PN CSI 100. I am installing it into my 1988 Firebird GTA. Once I bolt it up the pinion gear is already meshed with the flywheel before the starter is even engaged. It almost seems like when the starter does engage the pinion will be passed the flywheel, closer to the torque converter. Has anyone ever experienced this? Did they send me the wrong part? The part # on the mounting bracket is the correct one for the 2 flywheel types. TIA

 

Did you shim it at all?

 

Shims won't matter. They move the starter up or down; not front to rear.

The "mini" starters locate the starter drive VERY close to the ring gear teeth, because they don't withdraw very far. Yet, they always seem to work just fine. But if you look at how the starter is made, if the thing retracts like it's supposed to (up against the aluminum block), it's impossible for it not to work right.

So, I don't think you have a problem; unless the starter fails to retract (broken spring), which is highly unlikely.

 

BZZZZZ..Wrong! It should come with two different types of shims. One for vertical, and one for horizontal movement. The case of the starter should unbolt from the aluminum "block" style peice that the starter bolts go through and you should be able to lay a couple shims in that will move the drive further back from the flywheel teeth.

Tom

 

ok, installed the starter and it fit. I shimmed it so that the starter motor is moved towards the front of the engine(only 1 housing shim and bearing shim in the kit). The pinion is really close to the flywheel when the starter is disengaged the the engine is running. The run out on the flywheel actually grazes the edge of the pinion. On a road test the noise when it contacts the starter is more evident in between shifts (auto trans w/shift kit). Is there anything else I can do to get rid of the contact? I called tech line at CSR and he suggested that I disassemble the the starter motor and check if any of the "clutches" are out of place????

 

I got two shims with mine, different manufacturer though. Maybe you could call them back and see if the can send you another shim? I'm not sure which shim you're calling which, but did you also put in the one that moves the starter down?

Tom

 

Interesting... none of the starters I've ever used, came with that.... I guess it's all in how they machine that aluminum block....

 

Yes, I did install 3 shims to move the starter down. Should I install more? The starter came with 6 total.