[Chaser77]

hope this is the right place to post this, sometimes when i start my car it is fine other tiems i go to start it i hear the pinion gear hit hte starter then i gotta go under than car push it back into the starter then try ot crank it again what cuases this and how can i fix it?

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72' Chevelle SS (Clone)
TC Member#1417

 

[Hoptup32]

Just based upon what your describing, I would first check the starter pinion gear to flywheel/flexplate clearance. You may simply need to shim the starter to obtain the proper gear mesh clearance between the starter and the flywheel.

Another thing to look at is the pinion return spring tension. Pull the starter pinion out by hand from the starter towards the flywheel/flexplate and release it, does it spring back to the starter forcefully? If not, you may have a weak or broken pinion return spring.

Is this the original starter? Depending on the age of the starter, some of the bushings may be worn out and it may be time to replace it.

 

[Chaser77]

it is a mini starter that is like 5 months old, and when i go pull it out it retruns back hard.

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72' Chevelle SS (Clone)
TC Member#1417

 

[Hoptup32]

Chaser77, since the starter is new, and you've tested the pinion return spring, I'd now check to see if you have the proper pinion gear clearance at the flywheel. Do you have any shims installed now on the starter? This link shows you how to check the proper clearance:
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/04/d1/44/0900823d8004d144.jsp

Use a paperclip instead of the wire they suggest to check the clearance.

I have a mini starter on my SBC and I had to use several shims to get the correct clearance with the flexplate.

Check your clearance and post back with what you find out.