Need some advice with Starter

[boulky12]

How's it going fellaz. Truck is an 81 swb 2wd auto. Has a GM 350 crate motor. Code 10066036.

Truck had had starter issues since I got it. Starter that came with it grinded the flywheel every once in a while.

 Went to Oriellys to get a new one. Tried every shim combination possible, got the right starter bolts. STILL grinded the flywheel. Me and some family members came to the conclusion that Oreillys had given me the wrong one and that these things happen.

I'm gonna head up to Oriellys or Auto Zone soon to get a new one and try again.

What I would like to know is how do I know these people are giving me the right one?

If this keeps happening my flywheel is gonna be all chewed up and no good.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[FlatBlack77]

did you try no shims at all? just a guess

i went through this same thing a few years ago after buying a new starter. it came with a pack of shims so i tried no shims, even numbers of shims ect. it was a real pain in the bum but i eventually got it by stacking 3 on one bolt and none on the other.

i would suggest searching youtube there are a few helpful videos about shimming a SBC starter. videos that would have saved me at least a dozen starter removals and reinstalls

[boulky12]

did you try no shims at all? just a guess

i went through this same thing a few years ago after buying a new starter. it came with a pack of shims so i tried no shims, even numbers of shims ect. it was a real pain in the bum but i eventually got it by stacking 3 on one bolt and none on the other.

i would suggest searching youtube there are a few helpful videos about shimming a SBC starter. videos that would have saved me at least a dozen starter removals and reinstalls

Yeah I tried no shims. I tried everything. I've been told they shouldn't even need shimming. Is there any where I could maybe find the size dimensions of the OE starter?

Just want something to know I'm getting the right one. Really don't want to swap that flywheel. Its already got a couple teeth a little chipped.

[travisr1988]

When I had that problem the starter did not come with shims so I bought some and got it working fine with no noise and after 3 starts it'd start grinding again. So I compared it to the original and the nose was a little different, took the starter back and exchanged it for a big block starter because the guy at the counter had seen this issue before and figured out the big block starter worked better and as a bonus has a better solenoid. Problem solved...no noise, no shims.

[bake74]

     This might be a long shot, but I have actually had the parts store give my the wrong body style starter before.  NO matter what I did it would not work, had to take it back and make them look it up again and give me the right one.

[bd]

...Really don't want to swap that flywheel. Its already got a couple teeth a little chipped.

If the ring gear is visibly damaged it needs to be replaced or you'll ruin any replacement starter (chip the pinion gear).

Shimming a starter should be necessary only to address pinion whine.  Remove the flywheel/flex plate dust cover so you can watch the starter pinion as it engages the ring gear.  Remove the battery cable from the starter and use a remote starter switch or jumper between the cable and the "S" terminal of the solenoid - this will drive the pinion toward the ring gear w/o spinning the starter motor.  This way you can observe gear penetration and lash (depth of engagement).  There is an adjustment procedure in the Tech Pages.

[boulky12]

Ended up swapping the flywheel. And got a new starter. All is good so far.