if it is cranking normal now I would leave it alone.

I don't like those starters, the new GM mini's have plenty of torque never have alignment problems with them..

 

Not long ago I replaced the starter on my small block. (hard job with headers and no lift!) My previous starter came out with a pretty big shim. When I got the new starter, it came with instructions and several different shims. Instructions basically said if it screeches when you turn the key or screeches when you release the key it needs a change in shim. They also supplied a little metal bar that allowed you to check the clearance between the flywheel and starter gear pinion- that is what I ended up using the first time- mine was correct with zero shims.

There is a nice "eric the car guy" youtube video on shimming your new starter.

 

Out of hundreds of cars i have owned none of them needed or had shims all had factory starters.
Use the correct knurled bolts and supports and all will be good.
I have a friend that gets a cheap mini starter with the aluminum block front like yours looks and he always has issues, Always.
But he builds cool rides them then sells them within days of completion.
Not his problem anymore.

 

Funny, never shimmed a starter in my life I'm 56, bought my first car, 68 Chevelle 396-375 when I was 15. Have a bunch of shims hanging on a hook on the wall waiting for the first job that needs one. I also don't like that style starter without support beyond the drive, never used one though, so don't know how relevant that is.
Jim

 

Agree 100%. Those starters with the big aluminum block to mount them are nothing but trouble. An AC/Delco PMGR starter with the correct bolts works 100% of the time, with no shims, no matter how large your engine.

 

UPDATE:
I just had the time today to play around with the Chevelle again. Now with no shim in the starter, half the time I try to start the engine, the starter sounds like it misses the flywheel and just spins. Then it will start normally when I try it again. It will do this again a little while later. If I shim it, will this problem get worse?

 

UPDATE:
I just had the time today to play around with the Chevelle again. Now with no shim in the starter, half the time I try to start the engine, the starter sounds like it misses the flywheel and just spins. Then it will start normally when I try it again. It will do this again a little while later. If I shim it, will this problem get worse?

First Guess: Defective starter one-way clutch (Starter drive, sometimes called a "Bendix".)

 

On a factory starter you need a 1/8" between the edge of the gear to tje shaft on the starter. Use a drill bit to check it. Not sure what clearance a mini starter needs but id start at 1/8". Jim

 

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=1802&p=4614#p4614

 

I uses the 1/8" gap method and took care of the problem with 3 shims. All good to go! Thank you everyone for your help.

 

Manually engage the starter drive to the flex plate with battery disconnected. Slip a paper clip between both the gear teeth to the flex plate and the starter. That's the clearance your looking for. To much clearance and you will shear the teeth off the flex plate. Also make sure you are using knurled bolts with 3/8 thread, not metric. The knurling will protrude into the block. If you don't you will cause major damage because the starter will twist around no matter how tight you make it.

 

The last starter I bought came with instructions that said if whole shims failed to get the proper alignment then cut a shim in half (no more than 0.015") and apply the shim to the passenger side bolt only. I haven't tried this yet but I am going to because altho my truck starts fine, I don't like the sound the start evolution makes.

 

Now the starter cranks, but doesn't crank the flywheel. the drive comes out, but the gear does not spin, only the shaft that the gear is on spins.
This is happening now after I shimmed it properly with a 1/8" gap like it's supposed to be. It worked fine a bunch of times after I shimmed it properly, then a few days later this started.
guess i'm going to have to suck it up and get another new starter. ugh.

 

Now the starter cranks, but doesn't crank the flywheel. the drive comes out, but the gear does not spin, only the shaft that the gear is on spins.

Defective starter one-way clutch (Starter drive, sometimes called a "Bendix".)

guess i'm going to have to suck it up and get another new starter. ugh.

Or install a new starter drive.

 

I have a 99surburben chevy5'7 moter 4by4 1500 do it need shims I put a new starter but it makes the same noise what can it be can you please let me know thank you

 

There is no way to know whether or how many shims a given engine/starter will require.

It may need one or more shims, full width, under both bolts. It may need half-a-shim under either bolt--one but not the other. It may need some combination of full shims, and half-shims. It is totally trial-and-error.