78 K10 with 84 305. Stater Alignment

[drtbikkid]

i got the mini starter in my K10. it worked the 1st couple passes then went back to just grinding. i tried with and without the shims. i am assuming the pinion is too far from the fly wheel. i know about the paper clip trick, but could some one give me some more detailed instructions on how to get the pinion gear out manually to check.

Also, if it comes to replacing the fly wheel, i had heard that some just have a replaceable ring. a much cheaper fix. does any one know if my 1984 305 Truck motor would have this option?

and any other ideas for this alignment issue would be appreciated. i think i may try to grind some off the the starter housing to get it closer to the fly wheel. i guess anything i grind off can be shimmed back if i need.

any thoughts?

[Irish_Alley]

Can't help you on the alignment but about the ring never heard of that and since its welded in I would worry about balance

[drtbikkid]

oh ok. i had heard that some years/ models of 305 had a press fit ring as opposed to a welded one.

[beastie_3]

You just pull on the gear. If you cant grab it, use a flat tip screwdriver. Then check for proper spacing. Dont grind anything.

[1979C20]

Im not sure what you mean by "a paper clip trick" But I know that to properly shim a starter you need to be able to fit a 1/8ths Allen key in between the starter and the flywheel gear. But that is so It does not whine when you start it. I cant help with the grinding.

[drtbikkid]

yeah the paper clip trick is the same. that helps more, to have a real measurement. all the stuff i read says you should use a paper clip as opposed to the 1/8 Allen. i was wondering "what size paper clip" so that helps a lot. i tried the starter with no shims and it seemed best. so i still think my issue is that the starter is too far away form the flywheel.

thats why i wanted to surface some of the starter housing where it mates to the block.

I'm about out of other options before changing the flywheel.

[beastie_3]

Are you using actual starter bolts?

The distance between the starter gear and the ring gear needs to be measured and proper as well.

[drtbikkid]

i am using the new, shorter bolts that came with my mini starter. are you talking about the alignment on the horizontal axis (the pinion could be going past the ring or not far enough out into it?) i feel my problem is in the verticle axis.

can the horizontal axis alignment  cause problems too? if so, how do i adjust? slot the bolt holes in the starter?

[beastie_3]

Yes, horizontal. Some starts are designed so it can be shimmed if the starter gear doesnt engage far enough. What brand and part number do you have for the starter? Some starters are also designed to be used on only one specific tooth count flywheel.

[drtbikkid]

The Brand i guess is "Lester" its a cheap unit from DB electrical. i know. i know. its worth the extra cash for a good one. i didn't want to go the rout at first, because the factory starter still worked, just had the same alignment issues as well... so if I'm gonna chew one up trying to sort out this problem, i would rather it be a cheapey. 

the starter has staggered bolt holes, so from what i understand if it has stagerred pattern then its for a 168 tooth truck motor. so do some of the higher end starters have slotted bolt holes for horizontal alignment?

more and more i am thinking it must be my flywheel. just denial i guess.

what else are you thinking?

 

[jaredts]

If you suspect the flywheel or flexplate, have you looked at it?

[VileZambonie]

A flywheel has a ring gear that can be replaced. The flexplate is welded.

As far as shimming:

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=18042.0

[drtbikkid]

thanks for the tip vile. the post didnt come up in any of my searches. where do you get this stuff!? im going to try that as soon as i get home.

as far as flywheels, how worn is worn? does anyone know a spec for the height from peak to valley on a new flywheel Tooth? the one on my truck is worn... not just sure if its TOO worn.

hopefully that shim on the outside will solve my issue.

[VileZambonie]

How bout a pic of the flywheel? If it's evenly worn shimming it may do the trick otherwise you'll need to replace it.

[drtbikkid]

well back to the drawing board. i tried about 5 different combos of shimming. it would catch a couple times then go back to grinding. this sounds just like the guy on that post you referred me to... except the shimming didn't get it.

 now i guess i have some real decisions.

is it worth a flywheel replacement when i can get a used 350 for so cheap?

what would the chances be that i get a new flywheel in it, and it turns out to still not align?

seeing as how its a 4 speed 4X4, I'm sure that the transmission and transfer case are not light.. i heard something about all cast iron?

have any suggestions on options from here? i open to about anything at this point i guess.

good thing the body on the truck is rough... no one can see the dent i put in it with a steel toe yesterday