Stuck on Starter issues

[boulky12]

How's it going fellas. Could really use some help, I'm kinda stuck.

Got a 81 swb 350 for $450, and it had starter issues from the beginning (grinded every once in a while)

So I installed a new starter, with the right bolts, and it started up the first time.

2nd time I tried, started grinding. I can sometimes get it to start up twice in a row.

When I went back down there, bolts were still tight. And flywheel looks fine.

Tried with and without shims.

Could really use some help.
Any is appreciated. Thanks

[bd]

Carefully check the ring gear again - slowly roll it all the way around.  It probably has more than one spot that is chewed up.  Read Starter shim info: regarding starter noise and shimming, and re-shim if necessary.

[boulky12]

Thanks for the info.

[boulky12]

Alright guys so I've done literally everything there is to do to make the starter merge with the flywheel, but still nothing!

- Tried shims
- Tried Half shimming
- Tried No shims
- Got the right bolts
- Even took the solenoid off the starter and perfectly merged the starter teeth to the flywheel teeth, tightened it back up, and STILL grinding.

Could O'Reillys have given me the wrong starter from the beginning?

This is starting to become a nightmare!

Please leave any suggestions! Thanks

[bd]

Have you inspected the ring gear all the way around for worn/chewed teeth and general condition?  A little bit of tooth damage can cause a lot of frustration....  Verify there is no problem with the ring gear.  In addition, most ring gears have beveled teeth on the entry face that promote pinion engagement - make sure the 'bevel' faces the front of the vehicle (is on the starter side of the flexplate/flywheel).

Next, check starter pinion mesh with the ring gear.  Disconnect the battery positive cable from the 3/8" stud on the starter solenoid and move the cable end down and away from the starter and any bare metal, so that the cable cannot ground.  Remove the converter dust shield so you can watch the pinion.  Use a jumper to supply battery power to the "S" terminal of the solenoid, causing the pinion to forcefully move outward and engage the ring gear.  The pinion should penetrate the ring gear by no less than two-thirds the thickness of the ring gear.  If pinion gear engagement is insufficient, exchange the starter under warranty.

If the depth of pinion engagement with the ring gear is acceptable, the solenoid maybe energizing the starter motor prematurely, so the motor spins the gear before the pinion actually engages the ring.  In this case, return the starter for exchange under warranty.

[bake74]

Could O'Reillys have given me the wrong starter from the beginning?

     This happens, it could be the person behind the counter or the person who put the wrong starter in the wrong box at the factory.  Either way it has happened to me in the past.