Hey I have a freshly rebuilt 305 and I can't get my starter to engage my flywheel.

I had this issue before I decided to rebuild but didn't figure it out before I to yanked the motor.

I turn the key and about 1 out of 5 times the starter turns the motor over.

I thought for sure a new starter and flywheel would fix this issue but it did not.

Is it in my ignition? I tried to adjust it but I didn't know what I was doing.

I also shimmed the starter one at a time up to three shims.

Thanks for any help!!

 

Does the pinion gear throw out everytime?

Does it hit the flywheel or miss altogether on a non start?

 

It misses altogether on a non start.
I had it tested and got a pass

 

Also I should add, in that one out of five times the motor turns over, as soon as compression builds to start, the starter disengages.

 

That would suggest the starter is too far away from the block and needs shims taking out
or reworking to get the correct engagement with flywheel

 

Does it have anything to do with the adjustment of the rod running down the steering column?

 

I'm a little confused by what you're saying, from what I'm reading the starter does occasionally engauge the flywheel and turns the engine over normally? If thats the case and it sounds normal when it does shims arnt the issue. What happens when the starter doesnt turn the engine over? Does it just click? is there a bad grinding noise? do you hear a banging noise like the starter gear hitting the back of the flywheel? If it does engauge properly sometimes I'd lean toward an electrical issue. Have you measured the clearance between the starter gear and flywheel to ensure proper clearance? (Most people never bother to and suffer no ill effects but it is nessicary at times with aftermarket parts to ensure proper engagement) Also are you running a factory flywheel, starter and block?

 

No, it sounds like you are having a problem with proper clearance, mismatched parts, or a bad connection.. not real clear on what is happening..

 

by disengage do you mean it just stops turning all togather, or it turns the engine some then makes a strange grinding/buzzing like noise?

 

I already asked that
He notes above that it misses the flywheel altogether
but if that was the case why would it make contact 1 time in 5 ?

 

When the starter misses, just winds up, no grinding noise at all. When it engages, sounds good, still no grinding noise, but as soon as the motor wants to start, the starter kicks off again and winds up.
Sometimes it will turn the motor over long enough to fire, but rarely.

Factory flywheel, factory starter, factory block.

 

AFAIK you can only fit a 153 tooth flywheel in a t-5 bellhousing so unless you are running an aftermarket fw or starter you should have matching pieces so if the starter does turn when u turn the key that would pretty much rule out an electrical problem. I'd suggest getting under it, popping the starter out and looking at the teeth on ur flywheel and starter to check for signs or improper engagement. Also with the inspection cover removed pull the pinion gear forward on the starter and check how well it engages the starter

 

No grinding noise at all. Just kicks off and winds up.

 

good question, all I can think off would be missing teeth, an extremely warped flywheel which doesnt sound possible or a issue with the starter where the pinion gear isnt kicking out everytime, or something internal within the starter where the pinion gear just stops turning

 

I'd suggest taking off the inspection cover safely supporting the car and having a buddy start it while you watch whats happening..

 

I bought the starter new just before I pulled the motor to rebuild.
Just in case I had it tested before I put it back in and it passed. He even ran it through a few times.

 

Good idea, but it just seems the pinion isn't kicking out everytime but why?

 

IIRC the solenoid kicks it out and the starter itself turns the pinion gear so it could be the solenoid going south. Not too sure on that tho, only ever rebuilt 1 starter and it was over 10 years ago in school, i just replacem when they're bad

 

I am having a similar problem. I put this starter on maybe 1 and a half years ago, haven't drove the car much, but when I turn key it will sometimes just start right up. The other half of the times the pinion will just come out and "ting" on the flywheel, and usually once it does that I have to turn key like 7 times before it will actually engage and start the car. It is freaking anoying. I have a stock remanufacture in there now. The first time I installed it the car would start perfect and now it has been messing up again. I don't know if there is a problem with the flywheel or what but it is getting annoying?

Any suggestions?

 

Hi Xx, I have a similar 'click, no start' problem with my TransAm. Did you ever find a fix for your car? Thank you.

 

The starter cannot "miss" the flywheel, especially only once in a while.
First thing to do is physically inspect the flywheel teeth. Then ck the starter teeth. Then pry the starter gear out so it engages the flywheel and inspect contact. Most likely the problem is cheapo rebuilt starters with cheapo Chinese castings. The best thing to do if you have a bad starter and it is a factory starter is to have it rebuilt at a quality starter shop using quality parts.

 

When mine did this, It was because the postive cable at the battery didn't contact that well.. Aftermarket battery bolt was too short.. Hardware store for a longer one and some lock washers and wella.. For me it works..

 

Wow, haven't been on here in a while. No, I never really did figure it out. I went through a couple starters, high performance as well as rebuilt oem, same issue, sometimes it would start perfect others it would keep pinging until it finally engaged. My car has actually been sitting for a couple years with no movement so the battery needs replace, once I do that, I can see if that helped the issue. Sorry I was to no help.