Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

WyattTX · 09-10-2018, 05:32 PM

I can understand a need for shims. But it seems every starter I buy needs to be ground down where the starter body meets the engine block to properly engage the flywheel. Whether it be Autozone junk, or a higher priced USA built starter, I run into this problem. Is this a common problem, or do I have a flawed block? Thanks.

b454rat · 09-10-2018, 07:36 PM

Shims? what are they? Ive never used shims on a starter before. Least from what I can remember. if your having that many issues, could be the block is F'd up....

chuckTN6772 · 09-10-2018, 08:18 PM

just fixed the same problem on my sbc. I have a 1973 sbc and had to grind down the starter to get it to work, come to find out the starter i was using was from a 1983 model. I went to local parts store and got one for a 1973 model and it fit perfectly. No shims and no grinding down the starter to work.

sweetk30 · 09-10-2018, 08:53 PM

if you have to shim its 1 of 2 things .

you goofed some place . . .

or maybe the block was line honed and the crank position is off a hair bit . . .but this is just my crazy idea .

**mongocanfly** · 09-10-2018, 09:06 PM

I've never had any real issues with starters...certainly havnt had to grind on them...but have had to ad shims on a few...I wouldn't call it a goof though...ive seen lots of shimmed starters...

Mike C · 09-11-2018, 09:55 AM

Over the years I have had some that were way off and some that worked perfectly. But recently, it seems that I have picked up a few starters that were too thick on the mounting surface as well. Not sure why that is, but infuriating to say the least. And I know it’s not the motor as it has the issue on multiple engines.

As mentioned above, you can file the mounting surface down. Not too big a fear of taking off too much as you can always shim it...

*Chevyrestorerman* · 09-11-2018, 02:27 PM

IMO, Chinese made starters that people are buying cheap as hell from their local parts places maybe the issue here.

WyattTX · 09-11-2018, 11:26 PM

Alright, thanks for the insight. I guess my case is not unique. I suppose I will just continue to modify accordingly, if I am not fortunate enough for a perfect fit.

Dead Parrot · 09-12-2018, 09:17 AM

Back when my truck was my dad's truck, he went through 2 or 3 flex plates due to starter/flex plate mis-match. I was off at college at the time and didn't get all of the details. When I swapped in a new crater motor, I set that starter and flex plate aside in case I decide to rebuild the old motor. It is a lot easier to properly shim when the motor is on an engine stand.

Possible the new castings are based on a poor set of drawings or someone flubbed the SAE-Metric conversion in the China casting factory.

rpmerf · 09-12-2018, 11:13 AM

3 year ago I put a brand new starter in my truck due to severe hot start issues. It worked good, but every 6 months i was out there realigning it. It had a tendency to be too far away, and I would fix it by adding shims to one side. Sometimes I just needed to loosen it up and tighten it.

6 months ago, I tried to realign it again, but couldn't get it to stop grinding. Flex plate teeth were basically destroyed. Case on the starter was cracked. Not sure if that was from before, or from adding too many shims to one side. If the case wasn't cracked, I was seriously considering getting filing / sanding down the starter til it fit.

Replaced the flywheel and starter, added a bracket in the back, and it has been good so far. Still need to get my heat wrap on, so there is still a little bit of a hot start issue. It's incredible how quiet it is now. Sounds like a normal car starting.

In my research, a few things I found:
The knurled bolts are 3/8. Newer starters tend to have 10mm holes which are a tiny bit bigger, so they do not hold the starter in place as well. There are some replacements that are made for 10mm starter holes, but the bolts were not long enough for me.
Be sure to torque your starter bolts to 35 ft/lb
Use a bracket on the rear to reduce flex / moving under stress.

**WorkinLonghorn** · 09-12-2018, 11:42 AM

Never had a problem on the three SBC truck engines I've had but all were manual transmission and I only use AC Delco starters. Six or seven with no problems (30+ years) -BA

franken · 09-12-2018, 09:05 PM

There seem to be a few issues w/ starters, but removing metal from the mating surface (opposite of shims) w/o using a mill sounds like a bad idea. No accuracy.
A bracket at the back and correct bolts are a good idea, as is good wiring and a block ground. Most hot start troubles are wiring problems.

09-10-2018, 05:32 PM	#1
WyattTX Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Down south Posts: 518	Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? I can understand a need for shims. But it seems every starter I buy needs to be ground down where the starter body meets the engine block to properly engage the flywheel. Whether it be Autozone junk, or a higher priced USA built starter, I run into this problem. Is this a common problem, or do I have a flawed block? Thanks.

09-10-2018, 07:36 PM	#2
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,453	Re: Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? Shims? what are they? Ive never used shims on a starter before. Least from what I can remember. if your having that many issues, could be the block is F'd up....

09-10-2018, 08:18 PM	#3
chuckTN6772 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Petersburg TN Posts: 7	Re: Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? just fixed the same problem on my sbc. I have a 1973 sbc and had to grind down the starter to get it to work, come to find out the starter i was using was from a 1983 model. I went to local parts store and got one for a 1973 model and it fit perfectly. No shims and no grinding down the starter to work.

09-10-2018, 08:53 PM	#4
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? if you have to shim its 1 of 2 things . you goofed some place . . . or maybe the block was line honed and the crank position is off a hair bit . . .but this is just my crazy idea . __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.

09-10-2018, 09:06 PM	#5
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,581	Re: Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? I've never had any real issues with starters...certainly havnt had to grind on them...but have had to ad shims on a few...I wouldn't call it a goof though...ive seen lots of shimmed starters... __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

09-11-2018, 09:55 AM	#6
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,709	Re: Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? Over the years I have had some that were way off and some that worked perfectly. But recently, it seems that I have picked up a few starters that were too thick on the mounting surface as well. Not sure why that is, but infuriating to say the least. And I know it’s not the motor as it has the issue on multiple engines. As mentioned above, you can file the mounting surface down. Not too big a fear of taking off too much as you can always shim it... __________________ 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

09-11-2018, 02:27 PM	#7
Chevyrestorerman Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: GBR !! Posts: 144	Re: Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? IMO, Chinese made starters that people are buying cheap as hell from their local parts places maybe the issue here. Last edited by Chevyrestorerman; 09-11-2018 at 11:11 PM.

09-11-2018, 11:26 PM	#8
WyattTX Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Down south Posts: 518	Re: Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? Alright, thanks for the insight. I guess my case is not unique. I suppose I will just continue to modify accordingly, if I am not fortunate enough for a perfect fit.

09-12-2018, 09:17 AM	#9
Dead Parrot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 2,472	Re: Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? Back when my truck was my dad's truck, he went through 2 or 3 flex plates due to starter/flex plate mis-match. I was off at college at the time and didn't get all of the details. When I swapped in a new crater motor, I set that starter and flex plate aside in case I decide to rebuild the old motor. It is a lot easier to properly shim when the motor is on an engine stand. Possible the new castings are based on a poor set of drawings or someone flubbed the SAE-Metric conversion in the China casting factory.

09-12-2018, 11:13 AM	#10
rpmerf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Parkville, MD Posts: 1,024	Re: Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? 3 year ago I put a brand new starter in my truck due to severe hot start issues. It worked good, but every 6 months i was out there realigning it. It had a tendency to be too far away, and I would fix it by adding shims to one side. Sometimes I just needed to loosen it up and tighten it. 6 months ago, I tried to realign it again, but couldn't get it to stop grinding. Flex plate teeth were basically destroyed. Case on the starter was cracked. Not sure if that was from before, or from adding too many shims to one side. If the case wasn't cracked, I was seriously considering getting filing / sanding down the starter til it fit. Replaced the flywheel and starter, added a bracket in the back, and it has been good so far. Still need to get my heat wrap on, so there is still a little bit of a hot start issue. It's incredible how quiet it is now. Sounds like a normal car starting. In my research, a few things I found: The knurled bolts are 3/8. Newer starters tend to have 10mm holes which are a tiny bit bigger, so they do not hold the starter in place as well. There are some replacements that are made for 10mm starter holes, but the bolts were not long enough for me. Be sure to torque your starter bolts to 35 ft/lb Use a bracket on the rear to reduce flex / moving under stress. __________________ 1970 C20 Custom Camper - 350, TH350 1997 GMC Suburban 1994 Acura Integra GSR 1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z

09-12-2018, 11:42 AM	#11
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,855	Re: Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? Never had a problem on the three SBC truck engines I've had but all were manual transmission and I only use AC Delco starters. Six or seven with no problems (30+ years) -BA __________________ '69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. Best $300 I ever spent.

09-12-2018, 09:05 PM	#12
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,052	Re: Does anyone else have bad luck fitting a starter to a SBC engine? There seem to be a few issues w/ starters, but removing metal from the mating surface (opposite of shims) w/o using a mill sounds like a bad idea. No accuracy. A bracket at the back and correct bolts are a good idea, as is good wiring and a block ground. Most hot start troubles are wiring problems.



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