Any starter experts in here? Starter grind post engine starting up

[Barrrf]

This is tough to explain so I'll try my best. Everything is brand new on this engine build. 168 tooth flexplate, 11 tooth starter.

The car has no issue starting. I turn the key, the engine turns over and fires, but if I dont let off the key the instant before the engine fires then the start will grind a little bit right when the engine starts.

Im not entirely sure how starters work but I assumed there was some kind of mechanism that pulls the starter gear from the flexplate as the flexplate begins to spin faster than the starter gear. After dealing with this for a month, I decided to try a new starter. Exact same issue. No change.



What am I doing wrong? Im under the impression that LS starters should need no shims ever. I also noticed like 2010 Camaro 6.2 starters are 10 teeth on a 168 tooth flexplate.

Starter is 88864301, and flexplate is 19260102

[AU Doc]

Are you running a trunk-mount battery and solenoid?

[rchaskin]

I always use the paper clip trick.

Pull out the starter gear with your hand or a screwdriver and hold it in the cranking position.

Straighten out a paper clip and see if it fits between root of the flexplate gear and starter gear tooth.

Shim until it clears.

Good luck.

[Barrrf]

Are you running a trunk-mount battery and solenoid?

No, its all stock

I always use the paper clip trick.

Pull out the starter gear with your hand or a screwdriver and hold it in the cranking position.

Straighten out a paper clip and see if it fits between root of the flexplate gear and starter gear tooth.

Shim until it clears.

Good luck.

I've seen multiple post that say shimming isnt necessry on LS motors. I also thought that shimming was to get proper engagement clearance if the starter wasnt engaging properly?

I also have no idea how you would pull the gear out with the nose cone in the way. Theres just no room on the LS starter

[rchaskin]

...Theres just no room on the LS starter.....

Didnt think about that. I have only used the mini type starters (no shroud) on SBC. Sorry.

[andrewb70]

The shimming comes before the bellhousing is installed.

I would take the starter off and examine the pinion gear for any sort of burrs or weird looking teeth.

Andrew

[Barrrf]

The shimming comes before the bellhousing is installed.

I would take the starter off and examine the pinion gear for any sort of burrs or weird looking teeth.

Andrew

I did that on the starter I replaced. No odd wear. Only minor scuffing from the grinding on tooth tips.

Not sure how you would shim before installing the bellhousing on a vehicle with everything already in place. What am I missing there?

[andrewb70]

The shims go between the block and the starter. I'd throw one shim in and see if it gets better.

Andrew

[Tweak]

What brand starter motor?

[Barrrf]

The shims go between the block and the starter. I'd throw one shim in and see if it gets better.

Andrew

I know that silly. But your comment about shimming before installing the bell housing had me confused.

Brand is AC Delco. Part number is posted.

I ordered a shim kit. Might as well give it a try.

[andrewb70]

The "paper clip test" is easiest done when the engine is not installed in the car and there is no bellhousing attached. You bolt the starter to the block, use a small pry bar to extend the pinion so that it engages with the flywheel/flexplate, then as the gears are engaged, slide a paper clip between the root and crown (?) of the gears. If the paper clip doesn't slide in, add shims until it does.

Andrew

[Barrrf]

The "paper clip test" is easiest done when the engine is not installed in the car and there is no bellhousing attached. You bolt the starter to the block, use a small pry bar to extend the pinion so that it engages with the flywheel/flexplate, then as the gears are engaged, slide a paper clip between the root and crown (?) of the gears. If the paper clip doesn't slide in, add shims until it does.

Andrew

So, my starter still does this. It grinds post engine start up. As soon as the engine fires it makes the exact same noise it would if you tried the start the engine with the engine already started.

Since youre not supposed to have to shim LS engines, which shims am I supposed to buy? This starter has the offset bolt pattern.

[79 Camaro]

I've never seen shims for a LS but they would be easy to make out of thin sheet metal. Say like the sheet metal they use for furnace ducting.

[Barrrf]

I've not either. I don't know wtf is happening. Started car 4 times yesterday, not a single grind.

[andrewb70]

Bart,

Try another starter if you have one handy. Maybe the pinion gear is just getting stuck. Loose return spring...or something else intermittent.

Andrew

[Barrrf]

Bart,

Try another starter if you have one handy. Maybe the pinion gear is just getting stuck. Loose return spring...or something else intermittent.

Andrew

This is my second starter. Im not ruling it out, just saying. The next one would be a brand new unit, aftermarket. No more OEM.

[andrewb70]

Maybe the flywheel is chipped in a spot?

Andrew