Hey forums,
I pulled a running 305 out of a friends 87 Camaro. Its sitting on an engine test stand at the moment. He got the shortblock redone at a shop and I was doing everything else for him. (I do not understand why he didn't buy a 350 so don't ask...) I put the whole engine together yesterday. I did not have any plugs so I cranked the engine to make sure everything was in order. It was great. He came in with the plugs I dropped them in and the starter cant crank more than 3-4 teeth of the flywheel. So I have now assumed the shop he went to put the timing 180 deg out and am waiting on a harmonic balancer install/removal tool. But was wondering what you guys were thinking. The battery and the starter have both been tested and came back good.

 

I guess the first thing to try is shimming the starter. No, the first thing to try is can the crank be turned 720 degrees manually, without any internal interference? If so, then try shimming the starter.

 

I got fed up and put my tools away about 20minutes ago. Should i turn the crank with the plugs in or out? And I have never shimmed a starter before, it sounds pretty straight forward. I am also going to buy some better wire because i was originally using booster cables and a little bit of battery cable to jump the solenoid.

 

Unless the pistons are massively domed, the spark plugs aren't causing any interference. Removing them will make it far easier to feel the engine turning 2 complete turns. If you feel any stoppage, stop and investigate rather than forcing damage. Starter shims are a couple of dollars at any decent auto parts store.

 

Alright, sounds good. I will have to do it tomorrow becauseit is dark out now and dont feel like working with a light. Thankyou for your help my friend. I will update you on my progress tomorrow.
Thanks again!

 

There was no stoppage except me turning the ratchet so the internals seem fine.
I am going to try and get a replacement starter even though mine was tested fine.

 

Did you ever end up figuring it out? Im having the same problem with my 1uz-fe

 

This is NOT a Toyota forum.

 

OK I’m asking if he fix the problem though
Not if wether or not this if this is a Toyota forum

 

But that's just it, this ISN'T a Toyota forum !!!!!!

You are at a forum that is ONLY for discussions of 1982 through 1992 Chevy Camaro/ Pontiac Firebird cars, with NO Toyotas or anything else allowed. PERIOD.
Now , while the above may sound snobby, it is not, technical discussions of other than GM third gen F body cars does nothing but dilute the forum's core content, and in reality your best answers are gonna come from, , , ,



wait for it, , , ,



a Toyota forum !!!!!

While some basic info may apply across all makes & models, the problem your having could be either a basic one (Starter/ Battery/ Wiring), OR, it could be some Toyota specific failure that none of us here are gonna know about offhand.

I wish you good luck with the Toymota, and when ya finally DO buy a car in keeping with this board's target intent, well ya'll welcome to come on back now, , , ya hear?......