69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

[Michael L.]

Guys,

I'm installing my starter and when I had it restored the restorer sent it back with some shims that can be used between the starter and the block. I haven't been able to find a procedure on how to shim it though. There is nothing in the AIM about shimming the starter. What is the process for shimming it? I should mention that I did install it already for a dyno run and it worked fine but don't want to put the whole car together and have to pull it out if it needs to be shimmed.

Mike

[Donald O.]

Re: 69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

Guys,

I'm installing my starter and when I had it restored the restorer sent it back with some shims that can be used between the starter and the block. I haven't been able to find a procedure on how to shim it though. There is nothing in the AIM about shimming the starter. What is the process for shimming it? I should mention that I did install it already for a dyno run and it worked fine but don't want to put the whole car together and have to pull it out if it needs to be shimmed.

Mike

IF the restorer reused you starter's nose and main case, and IF there were no shims when you removed the original starter, then NO you do not need to shim it.

Don

[Michael L.]

Re: 69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

Thanks Don. To my knowledge all original components were used. As the car was disassembled many (>10) years ago I do not know if any shims were used. Do you know what the procedure is for determining the need for shims?

Mike

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

Thanks Don. To my knowledge all original components were used. As the car was disassembled many (>10) years ago I do not know if any shims were used. Do you know what the procedure is for determining the need for shims?

Mike

I remember the drawing of measuring the clearance between the top of a starter gear tooth and the root of the gear on the flywheel/flex plate. I don't remember the location of the picture or the dimension of the clearance, but I recall using a paper **** (c l i p) for about the proper dimension. The drawing is probably in the Chassis Service Manual. That would be the first place I would look.
I was once told if the starter didn't make a grinding noise when actuated, the clearance was OK, but I think it was Bubba who told me that.

[Michael L.]

Re: 69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

Thanks Terry. I'll look in the CSM.

[Richard G.]

Re: 69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

Rebuild starters are typically the ones with issues. Seems the re-builders often they junk the OEM GM nose cone and install generic part, then they ship shims with the starter.. If this is the case the nose cone will not have any GM identification. I don't know of any GM installed shims, on early Corvettes, although it wouldn't surprise me if there were.
i have helped a friend straighten out one of these mismatched sets after it cost him thousands of dollars because of damaged and ultimately replaced flywheels. If you have the correct starter number it doesn't mean you have the correct nose cone installed. Typically you can go be the sound.
If it sounds good it likely will work for a long time. Sorry I can't be more specific than that.
Rick Geier

[Paul O.]

Re: 69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

Here is what Terry was saying.

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

Here is what Terry was saying.

Thank you Paul. In this case a picture IS worth a lot of words. Where did you find it?

[Paul O.]

Re: 69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

Terry

Did a goggle search typed in " how to shim a chevy starter" several images appeared. thought this was the best one.

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

Terry

Did a goggle search typed in " how to shim a chevy starter" several images appeared. thought this was the best one.

Ah! The wonders of modern science.

Now if only they will tell us how to get that 0.020 gauge in there with the starter installed on the engine in the car. That was the part I wasn't able to solve.

[Paul O.]

Re: 69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

Terry

All the images are with the bell-housing off that would help with the checking process. Also they show a shim for the nose to move the starter away from the ring gear. It is indicated that the gear engagement should be between 1/2 to 3/4 of the ring gears width or depth.

I would think an Automatic transmission car there could be enough access with the lower dust shield off. Also of all the original cars I have judged only once have I seen a shim installed. It was ether a 1981 or 82 with 400 miles 10 years ago at least.

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

Terry

All the images are with the bell-housing off that would help with the checking process. Also they show a shim for the nose to move the starter away from the ring gear. It is indicated that the gear engagement should be between 1/2 to 3/4 of the ring gears width or depth.

I would think an Automatic transmission car there could be enough access with the lower dust shield off. Also of all the original cars I have judged only once have I seen a shim installed. It was ether a 1981 or 82 with 400 miles 10 years ago at least.

I can't recall the configuration of the car on which I tried making that measurement, but I am relatively sure it was not the 1970. I think it was the SB Chevelle with Power Slide. Regardless, I was monumentally unable to get the paperclip into position to make the measurement and wound up using Bubba's "by ear" method.
It would be a piece of cake with the engine on an engine stand, but most of my starter replacement has been on cars that are more complete.

[Mark E.]

Re: 69 350/350 starter shims? Do I need them?

Here's the instruction sheet which came with a rebuilt starter. It includes a description of the different sounds if there's excessive or not enough clearance. It also describes when a half shim is used.

I've replaced scores of GM starters, but never saw, removed or installed a shim.