Big Block Starter Blues

[TED MACINTOSH]

When Trying To Start My '68 Chevelle 396 There Is A Metalic Click That Sounds Like The Drive Hitting The Flywheel. Repeated Tries Finally Results In The Drive Engaging. Tried Shims, New Flywheel...no Change. With Shims It Sounds Like Someone Threw A Bunch Of Bolts In A Blender. Any Suggestions?

[mdcamaro]

If you have a Chevy starter the two bolts that hold it on should be at an angle not straight across. You also should be using GM starter bolts they have a nurled shoulder for a better alignment. Believe me they make a differance. Buy new ones from a dealer if you are not sure. Also you should have a front mounting braket on the starter to keep it from "walking".

Pull the starter off the car look at the bolt holes make sure they are round not oval "caused by using the wrong starter bolts". Jump the starter on the ground using jumper cables. The bendix gear should jump back and spin hard. If it just clicks the solenoid is bad if it just spins the bendix is bad.

Or trash every thing and get a new mini starter from Summit or Jegs.

[TMAC396]

I am using new gm starter bolts, and a brace on the starter. I also am using a new gm hi-perf starter. Hopefully , though, I have got the problem licked. The battery cables were very old, but they looked fine. I replaced both of them and it has been cranking like a champ ever since. I guess the old cables were not letting enough juice get to the starter. That rat takes a lot of juice to turn her over. Thanks for the advice.

[mdcamaro]

Good to hear. Maybe someone else will benfit from your post.

[slipknot_me]

I'm glad your solution was that simple. I have the same problem with my 396 and a high torque starter. I had to pull my engine and put a .030 shim between the flexplate and crank. That still kept my converter clearance within tolerances too.


Keith