6.0 Starter grinding on flexplate

[ubac]

I have a 6.0 engine, 4L80E trans that I believe is a 2001. When I got the engine, the nose cone was broken on the starter. I purchased another starter and it is grinding\hitting against the flexplate when I try to start the car. When I compare the old and new starters, it appears that the previous owner ground down the teeth on the starter in order to get it to work properly (which you can see in the pictures). It also looks like the nose cone was ground down too. The teeth on the starter rest about half way on the teeth of the flexplate. Does anyone know the proper way to fix this? Is there a spacer or something needed? is there a different starter for this engine with a shorter nose cone so it doesn't touch the flexplate until the ignition is turned?

[79 Camaro]

I've got a L92 with "stock" LS flex plate sitting on my engine stand. From the back edge of the flex plate to the cylinder head casting is 1". Not the bell housing machined edge the cylinder head casting that has 6.2 cast into it.

The flex plate has a "dish" to it pushing the ring gear away from the block. Could it be possible they installed the flex plate backwards?

I've done a number of LS swaps with different flex plates/flywheels and never had to skim one for clearance.

Not an LS expert but I hope this helps.

[ubac]

I've got a L92 with "stock" LS flex plate sitting on my engine stand. From the back edge of the flex plate to the cylinder head casting is 1". Not the bell housing machined edge the cylinder head casting that has 6.2 cast into it.

The flex plate has a "dish" to it pushing the ring gear away from the block. Could it be possible they installed the flex plate backwards?

I've done a number of LS swaps with different flex plates/flywheels and never had to skim one for clearance.

Not an LS expert but I hope this helps.

I found this picture of when I picked up the engine. I looks like it is facing the correct direction.

[rchaskin]

See if this helps....

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/gm-crank-spacing

[andrewb70]

Throw a shim between the block and the starter, where the starter bolts up.

Andrew

[79 Camaro]

I'll that a look again at my L92. You should be able to bolt up the starter and manually push the starter drive into the flex plate. I don't think skimming the starter dowm will h

[Barrrf]

So weird. Mine does this same thing. Im using all stock parts for an LQ4 with the exception of the ARP flex plate bolts. It wont grind when starting, only grinds if I hold the key in start for too long. And by too long I mean like a millisecond longer than "started". My thought is the teeth on the starter are slightly larger than the teeth on the flywheel causing it to get hung up in there. Ive gotten shims but havent installed them yet.

[ubac]

See if this helps....

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/gm-crank-spacing

This does help, Thank You! I may potentially have the short crank and need the spacer. So far, this makes the most sense. I'll look into it.

[79 Camaro]

That was my first thought that you had an early 6.0 but it looked like you had aluminum heads and I thought they had iron heads. If you need a spacer let me know I think a have one. No charge. Just a few a bucks for shipping.

[ubac]

That was my first thought that you had an early 6.0 but it looked like you had aluminum heads and I thought they had iron heads. If you need a spacer let me know I think a have one. No charge. Just a few a bucks for shipping.

Sounds like a plan. I will let you know. Thanks!

[Barrrf]

FYI, I have the extended crank and still get the grinding as detailed in my above post.

[ubac]

I found out that I had the short crank so I installed a spacer. I haven't tried to start it yet but I can tell already that the starter spacing looks a lot better. Thanks guys!