dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

I bought one of those hitachi ministarters to replace the stock one. However, the pinion to ring gear clearance is off by a mile. They spec that it should be around .1" &#177 .040". Mine is at .250". Whats the deal? Is it jsut a mismachined starter block or is there something else that im missing?

Air_Adam

Sounds like its meant for a bigger flywheel/flexplate than you have - meaning - you have the wrong starter.

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

The distance that is the problem is the distance from teh rear face of the ring gear to the front face of the pinion gear with the starter disengaged. Heres what Im talking about:

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

With both of the supplied shims the backlash was ok, but the starter seems too be too far away from the ring gear on the flexplate. The flexplate itself is yer basic chevy 153 tooth flexplate and I dont see any external problems with it. With the starter engaged, there doesnt seem to be much of the pinion engaged with the flexplate. Id be afraid to actually use the thing.

Air_Adam

Ok... I misunderstood before

I dunno what to say, I can't really help you, but I'll bump it up for ya

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

I really wish I knew what the problem is. The thing is way off but everything else looks ok.

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

I checked everything out. The block looks fine, the flexplate looks fine, the holes appear to be in the right spot, so it must be the starter.

If the next one I get has teh same problem, I guess Ill be rocking out another stock boat anchor delco starter

jwscab

you could also buy an LT1 starter. nice and small and light. turbobuicks.com had the cheapest price around.

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

I found the problem. I was watching the flexplate (semi-new one for 2-piece RMS) while the motor was running and the ring gear looks like it was welded on by stevie wonder The flexplate itself is ok but the ring gear is way off. It also wobbles so its not centered, either. Who makes these things?

Damon

Sounds like the flexplate has, um.......... "flexed" once too many times. Aftermarket stuff often comes from China these days. Get used to it, that's the new home of cheap manufacturing. I would think that a used factory part from a junkyard would be an easy score. If the teeth aren't chewed up and the hub doesn't have obvious cracks it should be good.

pasky

If you got lt1 starter, screw that. You cannot buy them new anymore and you will be getting a rebuilt lt1 starter. Get a LT4 starter, you can buy them new from, gmpartsdirect.com and they are higher torque and weigh about a lb less than the lt1 starter. They fit the same way and a tad shorter, perfect starter, much easier to start the car with.

LT4 Starter part #:

10455709

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

Im just using the direct drive boat anchor for now. I put it back in after the ministarter thing fell apart. I returned the one I bought. When I get around to it Ill pull the trans back and put a good flexplate in so I can run a decent starter. I had the trans out but it didnt occur to me to put in a decent flexplate since mine is only a couple of years old.