Shimming the starter ?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nicksta43 · 10-20-2010, 06:12 PM

I have a buddy with a two wheel drive 76 blazer. This thing is his only means of transportation. It's completely worn out and rusted but I'm working with him to try and get it at least safe and reliable. His starter is making a terrible noise and seems to be getting worse. I've never had to shim a starter and was wondering how one would go about it? Specificially how do you go about determining the amount of shims you might need? Any help or advice is much appreciated.

babyJay · 10-20-2010, 06:23 PM

1/8 inch alan wrench gives the proper gap.

blazer2007 · 10-20-2010, 06:27 PM

If it,s getting worse I don,t think shims will help,but if you want to try just put a shim in one at a time until you get that nice starting sound.Should only take a couple shims

nicksta43 · 10-20-2010, 06:33 PM

O.K. thanks guy's I have a feeling he'll be replacing the flywheel soon.

BLE 'BURBAN · 10-21-2010, 12:46 AM

The best way I have found to shim a starter takes a bit of time but I have found that taking this extra time eliminates alot of headaches later on and longer starter life as well.

1. Disconnect the battery.
2. Remove flexplate dust shield from bottom of tranny.
3. Remove the starter from engine.
4. Remove starter solenoid from starter.
5. Remount starter WITHOUT the solenoid to then engine.
6. Reach up and pull back on the plunger to move the starter drive gear into the teeth of the flexplate.
7. Using a wire feeler gauge measure the gap between the tip (crest) of the tooth on the drive gear and the bottom(valley) of the teeth on the flex plate. It should be no more than .060" NOTE; A large paper clip works well for this measurement if you don't have a wire style feeler gauge
8. If it's right, put it all back together then you're good to go. However if it's too tight or too loose, then you will need to shim it.
9. If it's too tight start with a shim that's .015" thick and shim both mounting points between the starter and block then measure again. If it's too loose then shim out ONLY the outer mounting bolt to cause the starter to tilt into the block.
10. Play around with the shimming until you achieve the proper gap of .060"
whether it's by no-shim ,full shim or half shim on either bolt.
11. Once you've got it set put'er all back together and drive on.
Yes it is time consuming and tedious but you will be pleased with the end result.

motornut · 10-21-2010, 09:00 AM

make sure the starter is working right,take it out and check it with booster cables,i checked mine before doing the grindy sounding flywheel it seemed fine,new flywheel in still had noise (not engageing now)checked it again the gear would pop out but not turn ,did this quite a bit over about 10 min.changed the starter.........no shim,no noise

nicksta43 · 10-22-2010, 11:55 PM

BLE 'BURBAN
I know this is a little late but I just have to say that is an awesome write up thank you for posting this, job well done!!!

justinburnett · 10-25-2010, 11:50 PM

just had to put a fat shim on the outer bolt of mine. Seems great now. Also could be if he got a metric starter the holes could be a little big and let it twist slightly out of line.

justinburnett · 10-26-2010, 10:38 AM

And now it's started grinding again. Son of a ****!

10-20-2010, 06:12 PM	#1
nicksta43 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Temple TX Posts: 24	Shimming the starter ?? I have a buddy with a two wheel drive 76 blazer. This thing is his only means of transportation. It's completely worn out and rusted but I'm working with him to try and get it at least safe and reliable. His starter is making a terrible noise and seems to be getting worse. I've never had to shim a starter and was wondering how one would go about it? Specificially how do you go about determining the amount of shims you might need? Any help or advice is much appreciated.

10-20-2010, 06:23 PM	#2
babyJay Arrived on a Pale Horse Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SnagTown Indiana Posts: 2,524	Re: Shimming the starter ?? 1/8 inch alan wrench gives the proper gap. __________________ Jason 87 V30 350TBI/400 White w/Boss V-plow 89 R3500 CC SRW

10-20-2010, 06:27 PM	#3
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	Re: Shimming the starter ?? If it,s getting worse I don,t think shims will help,but if you want to try just put a shim in one at a time until you get that nice starting sound.Should only take a couple shims

10-20-2010, 06:33 PM	#4
nicksta43 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Temple TX Posts: 24	Re: Shimming the starter ?? O.K. thanks guy's I have a feeling he'll be replacing the flywheel soon.

10-21-2010, 12:46 AM	#5
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: Shimming the starter ?? The best way I have found to shim a starter takes a bit of time but I have found that taking this extra time eliminates alot of headaches later on and longer starter life as well. 1. Disconnect the battery. 2. Remove flexplate dust shield from bottom of tranny. 3. Remove the starter from engine. 4. Remove starter solenoid from starter. 5. Remount starter WITHOUT the solenoid to then engine. 6. Reach up and pull back on the plunger to move the starter drive gear into the teeth of the flexplate. 7. Using a wire feeler gauge measure the gap between the tip (crest) of the tooth on the drive gear and the bottom(valley) of the teeth on the flex plate. It should be no more than .060" NOTE; A large paper clip works well for this measurement if you don't have a wire style feeler gauge 8. If it's right, put it all back together then you're good to go. However if it's too tight or too loose, then you will need to shim it. 9. If it's too tight start with a shim that's .015" thick and shim both mounting points between the starter and block then measure again. If it's too loose then shim out ONLY the outer mounting bolt to cause the starter to tilt into the block. 10. Play around with the shimming until you achieve the proper gap of .060" whether it's by no-shim ,full shim or half shim on either bolt. 11. Once you've got it set put'er all back together and drive on. Yes it is time consuming and tedious but you will be pleased with the end result. __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

10-21-2010, 09:00 AM	#6
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Shimming the starter ?? make sure the starter is working right,take it out and check it with booster cables,i checked mine before doing the grindy sounding flywheel it seemed fine,new flywheel in still had noise (not engageing now)checked it again the gear would pop out but not turn ,did this quite a bit over about 10 min.changed the starter.........no shim,no noise __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

10-22-2010, 11:55 PM	#7
nicksta43 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Temple TX Posts: 24	Re: Shimming the starter ?? BLE 'BURBAN I know this is a little late but I just have to say that is an awesome write up thank you for posting this, job well done!!!

10-25-2010, 11:50 PM	#8
justinburnett Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Dalles, OR Posts: 392	Re: Shimming the starter ?? just had to put a fat shim on the outer bolt of mine. Seems great now. Also could be if he got a metric starter the holes could be a little big and let it twist slightly out of line.

10-26-2010, 10:38 AM	#9
justinburnett Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Dalles, OR Posts: 392	Re: Shimming the starter ?? And now it's started grinding again. Son of a ****!



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