bought an old 1980 El-Camino for my son to restore. We took it to have a
new flywheel and starter put on .sounded good for about a week .Now it won't start again. Flywheel is ate up. Is this a common problem or is there something we are not seeing. It has a 305 engine we are told. Is there different fly wheels and starters for this same model?:dontknow:

it could be as simple as needing a shim or two, how does it sound when the starter is engaged ?

Not trying to be a smart-ass, but the place that replaced the parts didn't do their job right.
A rebuilt starter usually comes with some shims, and a little rod to use for checking mesh of the teeth between the starter and flywheel or flex plate, and shims added as needed to get the mesh right. Maybe it's time to take it back where the work was done ?

I've replaced a LOT of starters, and never once found shims in the box, let alone the gage wire.

Well, don't know what to think about that. Local parts stores have them like I described, and some factory cars have a shim or two under the starter, like a Cadillac I owned.

Match the right Starter drive with the Right flywheel Number of teeth ect should not have any problems ,and iam with the Above Post TAKE it back have them do the Job Again No Charge !!!
Recheck :texas:

Now it won't start again. Flywheel is ate up. Is this a common problem or is there something we are not seeing. It has a 305 engine we are told. Is there different fly wheels and starters for this same model?:dontknow:No it's not a common problem, if it was replaced correctly. No there are not different flexplates used, the flexplate should be 153th for an internally balanced motor...not likely it was changed to anything else if it's still the original drivetrain. TAKE IT BACK...either they didn't do something right, or they didn't do it in the first place...you wouldn't be the first person charged for work that wasn't done...I'm gettin a vibe here, that's telling me, that they never replaced the flexplate in the first place...just the starter. As for shimming GM starters, yes there are shims and the rod that come in the box when you buy a starter...sometimes...sometimes there isn't...whether or not you need to shim the starter is hit or miss also...sometimes you do...sometimes you don't... what do you think...the same guy makes all the starters?