66 starter flywheel engage

[Richard E.]

What can be checked /adjusted to correct poor starter gear / flywheel engagement on a 66 - 327. Engagement is positive at times and then again somtimes just a grinding sound is heard without the starter spinning the engine. (I'm pretty sure this is not the original starter for the engine, its a automatic trans.).

People I talk to have little confidence in shims so I have not tried this approach and this does not sound like a problem that a shim can fix.

I have changed out the starter once and the same problem exists. I believe voltage to the solenoid is ok, I have ordered new starter bolts (just in case), teeth appear ok on starter and flywheel. I suppose the fly wheel could be bent or cracked but it looks good from what I can see by removal of the flywheel pan.

Is there anything special about the 327 starter, cast iron nose, etc. that only the original starter should be used? Any trouble shootoing suggestions are appreciated. Thanks much.

[Tim S.]

Re: 66 starter flywheel engage

Richard,

Check that flywheel very carefully. The are only a 2-3 spots that take a beating on th ring gear. If all is okay, I would say you may have a voltage issue that creates an inconsistent problem as described. You can take your starter to most parts stores to test the unit beofr you pull out your hair. I suffered with the same problem some time ago on a 65 I had and the problem came from a compromised connection at the fuse block bulk head. Everything inside was green. Cleaned it up and...... bam! Fixed

[Edward J.]

Re: 66 starter flywheel engage

Rich, is the grinding only once in a great while? The reason I ask is sometimes a few teeth in the flywheel get ground away and when the car is shut off and the flywheel is positoned so the starter bedix will engage into the spot you get the grinding.


Generally a starter that needs shimed will have a bad engagment all the times and there is alot of gear noise when just turning over.

My advice is to pull the nose of the starter out and turn the crank a full revelotion to carefully checking the teeth on flywheel. and also check the starter bendix to make sure its not chewed up.

[Richard E.]

Re: 66 starter flywheel engage

I will try to inspect the flywheel more closely. This happens nearly every time I try starting the engine. You might get three good engagements and then the grinding.........makes me think it is a voltage drop problem (battery is good and charged however).

I'm thinking about trying a remote starter button across the starter solenoid "battery" stud and the "S" terminal. I'm thinking this would bypass the start circuit wiring and if I get good consistent engagement that would indiacte a start circuit wiring problem. Does this make sense? Thanks for helping everyone.
Rich

[Edward J.]

Re: 66 starter flywheel engage

Rich, starter voltage at the solonoid is easily checked with a voltage meter, but is highly unlikely, the case maybe the starter bendix , flywheel, or both if this is let go for to long of a period of time as it will chew up both.

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 starter flywheel engage

What can be checked /adjusted to correct poor starter gear / flywheel engagement on a 66 - 327. Engagement is positive at times and then again somtimes just a grinding sound is heard without the starter spinning the engine. (I'm pretty sure this is not the original starter for the engine, its a automatic trans.).

People I talk to have little confidence in shims so I have not tried this approach and this does not sound like a problem that a shim can fix.

I have changed out the starter once and the same problem exists. I believe voltage to the solenoid is ok, I have ordered new starter bolts (just in case), teeth appear ok on starter and flywheel. I suppose the fly wheel could be bent or cracked but it looks good from what I can see by removal of the flywheel pan.

Is there anything special about the 327 starter, cast iron nose , etc. that only the original starter should be used? Any trouble shootoing suggestions are appreciated. Thanks much.

Richard------


If your starter has a cast iron nose, you are using an incorrect starter. Your starter should have an ALUMINUM nose using one 4-21/32" long mounting bolt and one 1-27/32" long mounting bolt.

You should also have either a GM #3858403 or 3840383 bellhousing. One of these numbers should be clearly cast on the side of the bellhousing.

[Edward J.]

Re: 66 starter flywheel engage

Roy, I forgot to ask if there is a support bracket on the end of the starter, and you talked about the bolts for the starter, I have seen bent bolts before and are easily checked, they will throw the starter alignment off enough to cause a problem.

Joe, I think alot of people mistaken the nose for cast iron, I have never tryed the cast iron nose in place of a aluimnun, not even sure if it would work .

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 starter flywheel engage

Joe, I think alot of people mistaken the nose for cast iron, I have never tryed the cast iron nose in place of a aluimnun, not even sure if it would work .

Edward------


I don't think it's possible, either. However, if the starter he has actually has a cast iron nose and he has the correct bellhousing, then I guess it is possible.

[Richard E.]

Re: 66 starter flywheel engage

Joe,
Do you know if GM still sells the angle bracket that ties the starter housing to the block on a 327? I suppose it available as aftermarket also, (I recall purchasing a reproduction bracket for a stock 427 Corvette engine with the original starter that did not come even close to fitting properly however). Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 starter flywheel engage

Joe,
Do you know if GM still sells the angle bracket that ties the starter housing to the block on a 327? I suppose it available as aftermarket also, (I recall purchasing a reproduction bracket for a stock 427 Corvette engine with the original starter that did not come even close to fitting properly however). Thanks.

Richard------


The original brace was GM #3851294. That part was discontinued over 35 years ago and was replaced by GM #354353. The latter part is still available from GM. The 3851294 and 354353 are pretty close in configuration. If I recall correctly, the 3851294 has a hole for the extension on the starter through bolt whereas the 354353 has a slot.

[Richard E.]

Re: 66 starter flywheel engage

Thank you very much for the information Joe. I will get this on order along with new starter bolts right away.