Starter Woes on my new LS1

[GeoffP]

I wired the starter up on my engine this afternoon to prime the oiling system only to find out that it's not engaging the flywheel at all. Can someone tell me if there are different offset starters like there were with the small block Chevy?? I used an LS3 clutch setup and had no fitment problems with the clutch/flywheel so I think the starter is at fault. If I remember correctly it was listed as a Corvette starter so that may be the problem. Anybody need a good used Corvette LS1 starter??

[GeoffP]

Hmm...lotta looks but no comments... No one knows anything about LSx starters??

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Hey Geoff - check out this thread below if you have not already. As I understand it, as long as you don't have a GTO bell the standard truck or corvette starter should work. Make sure you have a 168 tooth flywheel. If I had it to do over again I'd probably buy the Pace option.

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?88806-Time-to-buy-a-starter-for-my-LSX454&highlight=starter

Hope this helps!

[GeoffP]

Thanks the flywheel is an LS3 unit from a new Camaro. It was pulled to be replaced with an aftermarket clutch setup. I got the whole clutch setup from the same car including the flywheel. I have my doubts that the starter drive is engaging. I'm going to test it tonight now that I can get in the garage for a few minutes.

[GeoffP]

The starter drive pops out but doesn't stay out all the way for more than half a second. It's weak at best so I suspect it's not kicking out hard enough to engage the flywheel. Thanks for the link - I think I'm going to order the one from Pace for just over $100.

[GeoffP]

Just ordered the starter from Pace plus the correct bolts and a couple extra for my alternator from someplace called partszoneonline.

[GeoffP]

Ok so I'm VERY frustrated at this point. My neighbor had a starter from a 2010 5.3 that he let me borrow. It doesn't contact the flywheel either. I really need some help with this please! I suspect the Pace starter I ordered isn't going to work either! Does anybody have any insight or suggestions for me???

The engine is a 4.8/5.3 block bored to the stock LS1 bore. The crank is a 5.3 crank rebalanced to the 5.7 rods/pistons. The flywheel was bought off of eBay and it was supposed to be from a 2010 LS3 Camaro that was getting a lot of high performance goodies so they changed the clutch while it was apart. It looked brand new when I got it (still does). I matched it against pictures on LS1Tech to make sure it looked correct. I don't know what to do now short of pulling the engine/trans back out to check the flywheel. If I do, my 68 will not be going to RTOS. :( I sure could use some suggestions! I don't know where else to look or what else to check since this is my first LS engine.

[Chevelle598bb]

Can you count how many teeth are on the flywheel? That will be a start.

[Rod]

do you have pictures of the flywheel you purchased and installed?

[GeoffP]

I'll have to check it tomorrow night. What's an LS flywheel supposed to have tooth wise 168?

[GeoffP]

I just looked back through my pictures to see if I have any of the flywheel/clutch setup. I even checked for the eBay ad but it's gone. I'll climb under the car tonight, take 2-3 and post them. I remember confirming the posted part number - it is indeed an LS3 Camaro flywheel and clutch. I just don't understand. I thought all LS engines used the same flywheel/starter combination with only minor variations.

[garys 68]

Any possibility the crank is a long one off a 99-00 truck with an auto? Or was a flexplate spacer left on the back of the crank?

[daytonayellaz]

Geoff.... Do you have pics of the back of your motor prior to the flywheel install? If so can you post one?

[daytonayellaz]

Any possibility the crank is a long one off a 99-00 truck with an auto? Or was a flexplate spacer left on the back of the crank?

LOL... we posted at the same time and I was kinda wondering the same thing. Technically the long crank is a 4.8 and Geoff says he has a 5.3. So I thought a picture would clear that up. Good thinking though!

[GeoffP]

No it's not a long flange truck crank and there wasn't any spacers on the crank. The crank sticks out of the seal maybe a 1/16th of an inch. I think my problem may relate to the starter itself. The one I bought does not positively pop the drive gear out. It floats at about a 1/4 of an inch from the spacer on the end of the starter drive shaft. The one I have on loan has a smaller gear than my starter so I think that's why it didn't work. I have a 3rd starter and my friend told me I could take the two and try to make one good one. He said he didn't care what I did as long as the 2010 starter could be put back together in working condition. I'm going to try swapping some pieces around to make a working starter with a starter drive that has the bigger gear. I've compared pictures of other peoples' cars that have posted flywheel pictures from the position of the starter and mine looks exactly the same.

[GeoffP]

I found a starter that works finally - what's funny is the return spring on the starter drive is broken but it still works fine. It's one of the newer two bolt starters like the one I ordered from Pace so the new one should work too theoretically. I'm 99% sure the 2010 starter wouldn't work because the drive gear is smaller than the other starters I have. I have no idea why my first starter didn't work unless the starter drive is broken (which is possible) but it works fine on the bench as far as I can tell. Sorry for the drama (I hate drama by the way!)! I'm one step closer to RTOS!! I still have a good bit to do on Saturday!

[GeoffP]

The starter drive on my original used starter must be broken and the 2010 starter had a smaller drive gear. The new starter I bought from Pace Performance works perfectly.