[LowRider67]

I have a 1967 with a 350, I have a AC Delco mini starter installed and the starter is dragging/grinding. This is the 3ed starter in 1 year, it works great for awhile then one day without warning it starts dragging. I go exchange for a new one, install works great, 4 months or so it starts grinding again, get a new one and it works fine….What is going on???

 

[oldcutlass]

Are you sure it's the starter and not the mounting bolts loosening up letting the starter move around?

 

[LowRider67]

Are you sure it's the starter and not the mounting bolts loosening up letting the starter move around?

I checked the bolts every time before I go to make an exchange. The gear is warn down a little so I’m now sure what is causing that. I’m not using shims, they have not been needed.

 

[oldcutlass]

I would look for a different brand starter.

 

[65cayne]

Pics of the worn gear would helping you have them. Are you sure it doesn't need shims?

 

[LowRider67]

I would look for a different brand starter.

I tried one of those high torque mini starters and that doesn’t work. I can’t get a standard stock starter to fit due to the headers. Just makes no sense to me how something can work fine for awhile than fail over and over again. There has to be a reason, maybe the flywheel teeth are causing the starter to fail over time.

 

[Silver79]

My last few mini starters had metric holes for the mounting bolts. I had to buy starter bolts from dorman with standard thread but metric shoulder to hold the starter in proper mesh. A standard starter bolt would hold it tight with the head for a while, then loosen up and grind.

 

[LowRider67]

My last few mini starters had metric holes for the mounting bolts. I had to buy starter bolts from dorman with standard thread but metric shoulder to hold the starter in proper mesh. A standard starter bolt would hold it tight with the head for a while, then loosen up and grind.

That makes sense, would the starter still be tight but twisted? Maybe it’s just out of alignment.

 

[123pugsy]

I'll mention about the correct bolts again.

Wrong bolts can be tight and yes, the starter will move.

 

[70power]

Had the same issue years ago, replaced same brand over and over because it had warranty. Finally I got my money back, bought a different brand and had zero issues after that.

 

[vern]

I had a 327 out of a 68 Caprice. the only starter that would work was the specific one for a 1968 corvette. several brands of remanufactured starters failed miserably . Apparently there can be subtle differences.

 

[LowRider67]

Okay let me loosen it up and see if I can reposition it, I believe I have the original bolts.

 

[Silver79]

I would say, use the conversion bolts, NOT the originals, with an aftermarket starter. As I stated before, some of the new starters have the metric holes.

 

[Bob Tiley]

Knurl on the bolts need to be pretty tight in the holes.

 

[lg1969]

Something is telling me the gap between the gears need to be closer. Shiming thé starter may not work.

 

[LowRider67]

Something is telling me the gap between the gears need to be closer. Shiming thé starter may not work.

I’m looking at it tomorrow, just got it back from paint/body today.

 

[LowRider67]

What causes that??? 6 months old…been in paint and body for the last 2 months, went in fine came back grinding.

 

[LowRider67]

Here is the car it’s on 350 SB

 

[65cayne]

That looks like it needs to be shimmed out. The flex plate teeth are reaching the bottom of the bendix. It is too tight to engage and release properly so it either grinds or engages and hangs.

 

[65cayne]

Rad looking car !