Noisy Starter - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**DANTIP** · 06-06-2016, 10:09 AM

Does anyone have a great method of starter installation to minimize starter noise? My '72 350 starter is an OE starter and has the rear support. The starter was stupid noisy so I loosened the rear support and the two large bolts. I then held the starter in place by hand while I tightened the two large bolts then tightened the rear support. Much better but still too noisy.

Dan

Mike C · 06-06-2016, 02:16 PM

Usually too much clearance between gear and flexplate, but some times not enough. Use a screwdriver to push the bendix out of the starter and engage the flexplate. A standard paper lip should fit in between the valley of the flexplate and the bendix gear high point. If more or less space, the starter needs to be adjusted. If too close, full length shims the that run under both bolts will move it away. If too close, you can shim the starter just on the outside bolt and that rotates the gear closer to the flexplate.

Sometimes due to age or tolerance stacking a particular starter just won't work on a particular engine/flexplate/flywheel combo. My '69 short step and its 307 are like that. I have shimmed the outer bolt as much as I can and it's still noisy. At some point I replace the starter but am planning on doing that with a motor swap as well.

**Wrenchbender Ret** · 06-06-2016, 03:58 PM

I take the starter out & run a big coarse flat file over the surface on the starter that goes up against the engine. This gets the irregularities out of the mounting surface & brings the starter gear closer to the flexplate gear.

El Dorado Jim · 06-06-2016, 04:09 PM

Like Mike C said you may have to shim it, most auto parts stores sell the shims and spacer tool, the tool is nothing more than a piece of 1/8" round rod.not a paperclip,that is too thin....comes with instructions also, but just go between the high point of the starter gear to a valley on the flywheel,like stated above

**ga-stepside** · 06-06-2016, 05:47 PM

I found this on youtube when I put my mini starter in. It is for a MSD starter but the theories are the same. I added both shims to mine to get it aligned right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3opHN1u9CCE

06-06-2016, 10:09 AM	#1
DANTIP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Posts: 1,880	Noisy Starter Does anyone have a great method of starter installation to minimize starter noise? My '72 350 starter is an OE starter and has the rear support. The starter was stupid noisy so I loosened the rear support and the two large bolts. I then held the starter in place by hand while I tightened the two large bolts then tightened the rear support. Much better but still too noisy. Dan

06-06-2016, 02:16 PM	#2
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,709	Re: Noisy Starter Usually too much clearance between gear and flexplate, but some times not enough. Use a screwdriver to push the bendix out of the starter and engage the flexplate. A standard paper lip should fit in between the valley of the flexplate and the bendix gear high point. If more or less space, the starter needs to be adjusted. If too close, full length shims the that run under both bolts will move it away. If too close, you can shim the starter just on the outside bolt and that rotates the gear closer to the flexplate. Sometimes due to age or tolerance stacking a particular starter just won't work on a particular engine/flexplate/flywheel combo. My '69 short step and its 307 are like that. I have shimmed the outer bolt as much as I can and it's still noisy. At some point I replace the starter but am planning on doing that with a motor swap as well. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

06-06-2016, 03:58 PM	#3
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,190	Re: Noisy Starter I take the starter out & run a big coarse flat file over the surface on the starter that goes up against the engine. This gets the irregularities out of the mounting surface & brings the starter gear closer to the flexplate gear.

06-06-2016, 04:09 PM	#4
El Dorado Jim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: El Dorado Ca Posts: 3,374	Re: Noisy Starter Like Mike C said you may have to shim it, most auto parts stores sell the shims and spacer tool, the tool is nothing more than a piece of 1/8" round rod.not a paperclip,that is too thin....comes with instructions also, but just go between the high point of the starter gear to a valley on the flywheel,like stated above

06-06-2016, 05:47 PM	#5
ga-stepside Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sugar Hill GA Posts: 368	Re: Noisy Starter I found this on youtube when I put my mini starter in. It is for a MSD starter but the theories are the same. I added both shims to mine to get it aligned right. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3opHN1u9CCE __________________ 1967 C10 Step side 1970 AMX 390 1977 Datsun 280Z highly modified with '95 LT1 power



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