Starter with a mind of its own

[TONKA]

So for a while, I had issues with my starter not being lined up, mainly because I was trying everything but shims. but now that it is shimmed on a cold start the motor will wind up then abruptly stop. second try it grinds a little. third, it cranks like new. the only thing I don't have done there now is the starter nose bracket but I didn't think that would be the culprit. it starts just fine but in case I want to sell it I don't want to have to "get it to work right". anyway, any info is helpful info this is like the last thing I will have to fix on this truck.

 

[Snoots]

I think you need the bracket.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Do you have the knurled started bolts installed?

 

[TONKA]

@Snoots ill have to get one and try that out

 

[bucket]

What about it was not lined up? The bolts do 100% of the aligning, the shims only set the distance from the ring gear. Have the mounting holes been hogged out?

 

[Snoots]

I have a suspicion but will reserve it until you find a brace and install it.

 

[bucket]

I have a suspicion but will reserve it until you find a brace and install it.

GM quit using the brace at some point. In the 70's sometime maybe. Some engines always had them though, like the 6.2 diesel.

 

[TONKA]

both the bolts are in and tight. funny thing is it was fine until just a couple weeks ago so I'm not sure if it just twists that hard or what but i bought a brace for it so ill get back when that's installed. really appreciate your input.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Do you have a way to mount a phone to take a video, or some other device? I used that technique when bleeding the clutch slave on my Forester. It felt like the system hadn't bled properly, when in fact it had, but it's not something that is visible from the driver's seat. The video confirmed the master and slave were working just fine but the clutch itself is toast.

If you could video it you could fully see what it does without having to crawl underneath while someone else cranks it. I don't about you, but I don't particularly care for being under a vehicle when someone else sitting in the driver's seat.

 

[nvrenuf]

You never said if you are using actual starter bolts or regular bolts. Which is it?

 

[Snoots]

You never said if you are using actual starter bolts or regular bolts. Which is it?

Good point.

 

[TONKA]

one bolt looks original and the other doesn't thread in all the way due to building up of crap from there only being one bolt but I have washers on there to make up for that gap an actually put some clamping pressure on the starter

 

[TONKA]

I don't about you, but I don't particularly care for being under a vehicle when someone else sitting in the driver's seat.[/QUOTE]
that's not a bad idea and I will certainly try that, however, every once in a while I get under it and tug on the starter to see if it moves in any direction and normally it doesn't budge so I thought I had it in as well as I could.

 

[ali_c20]

You should use starter bolts with the right length. Friend o f mine used one starter bolt and one normal bolt with washers. He ended up with buying a new flexplate and starter. Saving 15$ for the right bolts was not his smartest move.

 

[TONKA]

your probably right @ali_c20, I'm going to get some ordered. my only concern is that the one closest to the block still won't tighten up because of how gummed up the threads are but that's something I should probably try to fix anyways.