Fronzizzle

When I first tried firing up my new motor (had lots of issues), one thing I noticed was that the starter made a horrible grinding noise. I put two shims on it (not sure what thickness, but for the purposes of this post it doesn't matter). It was better, but still loud just about every start so I put two more on it. Still loud, maybe even worse. I ended up taking one shim back off (leaving 3), then went back to working on the engine.

I finally got the engine done, I noticed that the starter would make a grinding noise about 65-70% of the starts.

I decided to start from scratch, so I removed all of the shims and tried the starter. The first two starts, it didn't make a noise. The next three starts, it made a horrible grinding noise when starting.

I put one shim on it. The first start, it made the noise. Then 13 starts were fine. Then, it made the noise again. Then 10 more starts with no noise.

I removed the cover and closely inspected the flex plate. I marked where I started and slowly turned it all the way around. No teeth are broken or missing or even worn differently than the rest. All of the teeth show the same wear marks.

I also verified that the starter I have is compatible with both flex plates.

My thought is that the starter itself is bad and making the noise. This is confusing though because it seems like shimming at different levels have changed the frequency of how often the noise occurs. However, I would think if it was a shimming issue that the noise would be present all of the time.

Thoughts?

skirkland1980

iTrader: (2)

I had a problem where the bolts were just barely too long and the bolts bottomed out and seemed tight but were not. I had to replace the starter, flywheel, and the bolts to fix the problem.

Brando5641

iTrader: (-1)

I have never had to shim a starter, I don't know if i am just lucky but i have never had too. Go get a new one and use the depth gauge they give you with it and make sure it is right. (The new starter will come with instructions on how to do it)

fireturd350

iTrader: (8)

If you think the starter is bad pull it and take it into a local auto parts store. I know here Oreilly's will bench test starters for free. It could be it's not retracting like it should be.

You shouldn't be shimming for noise as that's just a guessing game. It's best to shim for depth like mentioned. A standard large paperclip should work for a depth gauge. That's how I shimmed my 4 bolt block to my mini-starter.

Make sure you're using the correct bolts also as stated. Make sure the bolt holes and mounting surfaces are clean. If you have any fluid or penetrating spray in the hole before the bolt is installed that could make you think it's tightened when it is not.

Edwardgp

I would get this fixed as soon as possible before more damage is done.

afremont

Which flex plate do you have and how is your starter bolted to the block, staggered bolts or in-line? The 168 tooth flex-plate uses staggered bolt starters. The 153 tooth plate uses the starter with in-line bolts. How is your block made?

Fronzizzle

The block I have is setup for either starter bolt pattern. I'm using the ones that are in line. Not sure what flex plate I have since the starter I purchased said it was fine for both. Is there an easy way to figure it out, other than trying to count each one?

Fronzizzle

I realized that this thread is 1.5 years old, but I wanted to update. As suspected, the starter itself was bad - it was staying engaged after the car started, causing it to hit the flexplate. I swapped it out under warranty and no more noise. No shims, either.