[Cbg1999]

I've installed 3 starters in the last year, doesn't matter if it has shims or not it starts grinding. My flex plate looks like it's in good condition all the way around. I adjusted the starter today and it worked for 2 starts then began grinding like crazy. I'm stumped at this point, any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Cbg1999]

Also this time it only did it with the engine hot, I'm wondering if I'm missing some kind of extra support on the starter and it's torquing away from the flywheel.

 

[pbr400]

Year and engine size will help, but two things come to mind quickly. There is a support for the nose of the starter (bolts to the block) that often goes missing, and secondly, you might gave the wrong bolts. If they’re not the knurled ones that fit sorta snug, that may be the problem.
Patrick

 

[Cbg1999]

Now that I think of it the support isn't there, must've been lost during the engine swap for my 350. I will definitely order new bolts just to be safe and that support, thank you!

 

[57 Handyman]

When you say grinding, what do you mean? If the flexplate is in good condition, does the starter even engage the teeth of the flexplate or just spins? Are your replacement starters new or reman'd? Reason I ask these questions is, in the past year, I've also run into issues with "new starters" from Autozone. One issue was the solenoid not pushing the gear fully onto the flexplate teeth and the last one was simply a new starter gone bad--drawing too much power to spin the motor. Only saving grace was that both of these staters had a limited lifetime warranty and, therefore, exchanged free of charge.

I agree with the need for the nose brace...think about your struggles raising and holding the starter in position!

 

[Cbg1999]

I went to advance and got starter bolts, I had mismatched bolts for my starter, my dad did the starter before the trouble with it and I'll just blame him for that one lol but everything is quiet so far and no more slow cranks. I am waiting on the brace to show up so I can get that mounted.

 

[Cbg1999]

I hhave the carquest reman'd stock starter, I would get a mini starter but I'm waiting to get the money for it.

 

[Old Bear]

Sometimes, the old starter bolts are just a little bit too long.
They may lengthen just a bit too as headers/engine heat cause minor expansion.
This can let the starter torque away just a bit.

You might be able to put a small space (washer) under the bolt head to cause them to fit more snuggly.

 

[Karadjgne]

I never use the bolts that come with the starter, they are almost always either the wrong length or wrong thread or cheapo Chinesium without even a Grade. If I can't reuse the original bolts, it's a trip to Tractor Supply to get some Grade8 until I can get the right ARP-430 stainless.