I am having engagement issues lately with my starter. I have a powermaster 9000 mini starter. It is grinding every now and then. My starter is listed as fitting years 85-87. I have a summit racing 383 block which I believe they source from 96-00 motors. Could this possibly be my problem? Thanks

 

The block is pretty much always the same size and all that; doesn't change "every now and then", then go back to being right. Nor does it start out being right, then get to being different "lately".

Additionally, there's nothing different about those years, where the starter is concerned. Same bolt holes in the same places, etc.

So no, that proposed explanation doesn't fit the logical nugget you can find in my sig.

More likely, something is wrong with the starter.

 

Check to make sure the starter pinion gear is not engaging too far into the flywheel. I had a similar problem with a Powermaster 9100 mini. The pinion should only contact about 60 % of the flywheel. If it is more, you need to install the round shim that goes between the mounting block and the starter. You may also need to shim between the block and the starter to prevent the teeth from grinding.

 

The year of the car isn't going to apply once you swap the block/trans. Make sure the number of teeth on your flywheel matches what the starter is built for. Otherwise it could be a shimming issue, but PowerMaster gears are suppose to stick in place during testing vs. stock which is supposed to retract. So make sure you've got a copy of the PowerMaster instructions.

Actually here:
http://www.powermastermotorsports.co..._GMMiniSta.pdf

 

Looking at the wear pattern on the flywheel, it looks like the gear isn't engaging deep enough into the flywheel.

 

i had that to just last week took an old starter from an 91 olds and rebuilt it from the parts out of that and it wasnt going infar enough then come to find out my solenoid is goin out :/

 

Mine is only about 3 years old. I'll give that a shot. I just wasn't expecting it to wear out this quick. I'll try and get a picture of the wear pattern.