Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

[Garry E.]

I just re-installed my rebuilt starter on my '64 convertible w/ a SB 327/300 engine..... When I try to start the engine, I hear a "grunching" sound coming from the starter. Several friends have told me the sound is coming from the starter bendix being too close to the teeth on the flex-plate (the car has PowerGlide...). They say that I should install shims under the two bolts that attach the starter to the block. Apparently, these shims measure about .020" and provide the needed clearance....

Is anyone else familiar with these shims......?

Thanks

Garry Eastwood
#38705

[John R.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

I had the same experience with my 67 big block starter. When I removed the starter, there were no shims but evidently something changed when the starter was rebuilt. I believe I bought the shims from Long Island Corvette but it has been a while.

[Terry M.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

They are available in the "HELP" section of your FLAPS. The clearance at the root (bottom) of the gear tooth is 0.040. Measuring that is a royal PITA. A medium size paper clip is about the right diameter, but getting access to the gear teeth, with the Bendix engaging the flywheel is more than a small challenge.

My practice: Add one shim. You do not need to remove the starter. Just loosen the bolts and the shim will slip into the inner bolt. You will have to remove the outer to slip the shim in, but the whole starter can remain in position, hung on one bolt briefly. If that doesn't work, try another, and if needed another. After three shims if the noise is not gone it is likely something else is wrong.

If the shim(s) work, I would trim the little tab that sticks out of the edge. I have never seen shims on an original starter installation. That doesn't mean they were not used, just that I haven't seen it. Trim the tab to avoid pesky judges questioning you about them.

[John P.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

Shims were occasionally needednon aluminum drive ends("noses") A cast iron drive end should'nt need shimming if it has'nt been altered. The standard guage rod for shimming is 1/8" in diameter. A drill bit of that size can be used.

[Garry E.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

All:

Thanks for the responses...... very useful information......

Garry

[Timothy B.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

I think the 1963 AIM calls for a starter shim. Anyone have a pic of a GM starter shim and are they still available..

[Paul O.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

In the period of time that I have been judging Chassis 1968 thru 1982 I have only seen 1 car with 1 shim installed. That was 2 years ago at Chicago's Chevy VetteFest in Rosemont. It was a 1981 or 82 can remember it was on the outboard bolt and only 1 shim an automatic trans, starter was an aluminum nose. From what we could tell the starter had never been removed. Paul 18046

[Larry M.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

I think the 1963 AIM calls for a starter shim. Anyone have a pic of a GM starter shim and are they still available..

No pictures, but shims were still available from GM last year. I purchased a full pack.....enough for two lifetimes. I can get part number if needed, or you can check in the Chevrolet parts books.

Larry

[John H.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

We didn't use shims in the plant unless we got complaints from the Final Line (car start) about noisy starters, and that hardly ever occurred. Dealers used lots of them.

[Joe L.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

No pictures, but shims were still available from GM last year. I purchased a full pack.....enough for two lifetimes. I can get part number if needed, or you can check in the Chevrolet parts books.

Larry

Larry-----


GM #10008053-------0.38mm (supplied in package of 20)

GM #1246249---------0.015" (supplied each)

[Larry M.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

Larry-----


GM #10008053-------0.38mm (supplied in package of 20)

GM #1246249---------0.015" (supplied each)

Thanks for the information, Joe.

When I purchased my shims, they had to order for me and got the 20 piece package.....so I bought the pack to keep the Parts Manager happy. Very little $.

To help others, the conversion of 0.38mm essentially equals 0.015 inch, so the shims should be the same. In one case you can get one, and in the other you get the whole pack.

They do not have "Made in China" on the shims (like the FLAPS versions), but I don't know for sure their place of origin.....hopefully USA steel.

Larry

[John D.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

I must be missing something as none of the 63's I have owned or played with had starter shims.
Dumb Question. What is FLAPS. Name of a company. A chain? JD

[Joe L.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

I must be missing something as none of the 63's I have owned or played with had starter shims.
Dumb Question. What is FLAPS. Name of a company. A chain? JD

JD-----

I doubt that many 63's had the shims. Likely, very few. So, you probably never ran into any with them.

"FLAPS" is a "generic" term. It's an acronym for "friendly local auto parts store".

[Joe C.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

I have never had to use shims when installing a starter. That includes the times I have used a non OEM flywheel or flexplate.

[Joe L.]

Re: Shims on a Mid-year Starter motor

I have never had to use shims when installing a starter. That includes the times I have used a non OEM flywheel or flexplate.

Joe------


Be very thankful.