Chevy starter shims, how do you know?

[Eric Wettschreck]

I replaced the transmission in my truck not too long ago, started it up and WOW the starters makin some serious noise. So, I put in a shim, it shut up a little, put in another shim, it shut up completely.

Now, a couple weeks later, it's making the ishy "Starter not hitting the flywheel very well" noise. I'm guessing I have to play the shim game again.

My question is, how does a guy know how thick of shims to install? Is it trial and error guess and by golly? I realize if you're just replacing a starter to put in the same amount of shims you took out but this was a transmission replacement and things change with a new tranny.

[bluehat28]

Well really they dont change. The starter is still bolted to the block and the flywheel to the back off the crank shaft. Some thing must have changed. the flywheel?starter?tell more.blue

[Eric Wettschreck]

Ok, not too sure then. I fried out my tranny and put in a replacement. Didn't remove the flywheel, used the torque converter that came with the new tranny. Put the same starter back in.

I thought there might be some type of misalignment with the different tranny as a guy just never knows when the casting is milled it could be a couple thousands different between millings. But, I'm not going to claim to be and ASE tech, just a backyard/garage wrench turner so I'm not really knowing why things would be different.

[bluehat28]

I would look for new marks on the nose cone of the starter to see if its hitting the bellhousing in some way. And if you still have your old tranny compare the two for differences. Also try to check the torque converter and flywheel bolts to see that they are still tight.I am going fishin now will look tommorow to see if you got it better. Good Luck -Mark

[Macgyver55]

Just for fun, make the noise out loud a few times in front of your family and have them describe it to us......

Ok, seriously, what was the sound, screetching grinding or other?

As Blue said, the starter is the same and bolts to the block, the block didnt change, the flexplate didnt change, and the transmission case would not have any effect, so there is no reason for it to sound any different.

The only thing that changed really is the converter. Did it slide in and bolt up freely and easily? Bolts lined up and all in place before tightening any of them fully? If so, I'd suggest dropping the starter down and making sure the mating surface on the block and the starter are both clean, make sure the starter end bushing and starter drive look and feel good and put it back on with no shims and see how it sounds again.

One last thought is the dust shield, is it the solid cast aluminum style or the sheet metal style? If its the flimsy one it could it be bent and contacting the starter drive or housing.

[Eric Wettschreck]

The wife says it's a grrsqueelllllwhiiiiiiiineeeeequitlookingatme noise.

Converter went in all nice and easy. I got all the bolts started and almost finger tight, then went around and torqued them. The cover is the solid cast cover not the flimsy sheet metal cover.

I'll drop the starter and pull the shims out later on, it's really cold in my garage right now. It's not real tough to do. I'll post up if the ishy noise went away. While it's down I'll check the end bushings and make sure things are good and clean.

Thanks for the help, fellas.

[Eric Wettschreck]

You guys are my heros. I don't know what I'd do without your help.

Dropped the starter this morning and pulled the shims. Starter looks good. There was some junk on the block that I cleaned off. Put the starter back in and the grrsqueelllllwhiiiiiiiineeeeequitlookingatme noise is gone.

Thanks again.

[jwhjr]

Glad you got it fixed.

[bluehat28]

Ok so I helped you,Now what are the exact GPS coodinates tha you caught those crappies at. Glad ypu got it fixed.blue

[Eric Wettschreck]

Ok so I helped you,Now what are the exact GPS coodinates tha you caught those crappies at. Glad ypu got it fixed.blue

Come on down and I'll take ya out. I'm all aboot taking other guys out.

Fair trade????