stupid starter - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

spencerearly · 04-11-2010, 06:18 PM

Ive searched till my eyes bled, and can not get anywhere. Ive got a terrible starter problem. When i bolt the starter up i have almost 1/2" between starter gear shaft and flex plate. I'm using 168 tooth flywheel and staggered bolt starter. I can shim the outside bolt with 1/4"+ of washers and get a couple terrible starts out of it.

The previously new flex plate is starting to get a little thrashed because of all this. My knurled starter bolts are in decent shape.

Im sure a high end starter or a mini starter would be a easy suggestion, but since its so far away with the factory starter, i hate to spend the money just to find out its somethin else. All this is in a 78 with a 350/th350/205. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

trkklr77 · 04-11-2010, 06:35 PM

ether you flex is not a 168t or your starter is completley wrong.

spencerearly · 04-11-2010, 07:10 PM

From everything ive read all the starters with staggered bolts are the 168 tooth starters. The flex plate i bought a while back could have been in the wrong box possibly. The other reason im pretty close to positive its 168 is if it was 1 1/4" larger diameter that the 153 tooth is, it would be hitting the transmission case itself.
I have no doubt its something simple, but im pretty sure ive got the right match. The next thing im going to check tomorrow is if my flex part is out of round.

Grumpy_old_fart · 04-12-2010, 08:57 AM

measure the flexplate.

if its 12 3/4", its a small one.
if its 14", its a 168 tooth.

compare a couple starters to figure out what size is the right size. measure the distance from the bolt hole to the center of the bendix shaft *(the shaft that the starter gear rides on).

Try to find a factory GM starter nosecone. the aftermarket or remanufactured starters generally do not fit due to manufacturing tolerances and require machining or shimming.

spencerearly · 04-12-2010, 10:18 PM

ok i measured today just to be a billion percent sure, and i do have a 168 tooth flexplate with a 168 tooth staggered bolt starter.

Im going to get a different nose cone on there and see what it looks like. When i first put the current starter in it gave me 20+ seconds of cranking, and then it wasnt even close on the second try. Im pretty sure i need the brace to hold the thing in place.

04-11-2010, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
spencerearly Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Member # 68375 Posts: 95	stupid starter Ive searched till my eyes bled, and can not get anywhere. Ive got a terrible starter problem. When i bolt the starter up i have almost 1/2" between starter gear shaft and flex plate. I'm using 168 tooth flywheel and staggered bolt starter. I can shim the outside bolt with 1/4"+ of washers and get a couple terrible starts out of it. The previously new flex plate is starting to get a little thrashed because of all this. My knurled starter bolts are in decent shape. Im sure a high end starter or a mini starter would be a easy suggestion, but since its so far away with the factory starter, i hate to spend the money just to find out its somethin else. All this is in a 78 with a 350/th350/205. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

04-11-2010, 06:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
trkklr77 skullfuckery Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29016 Location: galt ca, because i wanted my own backyard Posts: 15,223	ether you flex is not a 168t or your starter is completley wrong. __________________ Impeach or revolt, which will it be? buy my quad http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/vehic...00-2500-a.html I WILL TRADE FOR A ROAD WORTHY 55-57 or 71-87 CHEVY 2WD PICK UP Last edited by trkklr77; 04-11-2010 at 06:35 PM.

04-12-2010, 08:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
Grumpy_old_fart Devout Newbie Hater Join Date: Jun 2003 Member # 20147 Location: Oakland Orygun Posts: 6,457	measure the flexplate. if its 12 3/4", its a small one. if its 14", its a 168 tooth. compare a couple starters to figure out what size is the right size. measure the distance from the bolt hole to the center of the bendix shaft *(the shaft that the starter gear rides on). Try to find a factory GM starter nosecone. the aftermarket or remanufactured starters generally do not fit due to manufacturing tolerances and require machining or shimming. __________________ sympathy, empathy and apathy... i dont know which one is which.... But i know you can find sympathy between shit and syphilis in the dictionary. Win this car for a whole BUCK!

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04-11-2010, 07:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
spencerearly Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Member # 68375 Posts: 95	From everything ive read all the starters with staggered bolts are the 168 tooth starters. The flex plate i bought a while back could have been in the wrong box possibly. The other reason im pretty close to positive its 168 is if it was 1 1/4" larger diameter that the 153 tooth is, it would be hitting the transmission case itself. I have no doubt its something simple, but im pretty sure ive got the right match. The next thing im going to check tomorrow is if my flex part is out of round.

04-12-2010, 10:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
spencerearly Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Member # 68375 Posts: 95	ok i measured today just to be a billion percent sure, and i do have a 168 tooth flexplate with a 168 tooth staggered bolt starter. Im going to get a different nose cone on there and see what it looks like. When i first put the current starter in it gave me 20+ seconds of cranking, and then it wasnt even close on the second try. Im pretty sure i need the brace to hold the thing in place.