what kind of starters are you using?

have you checked your ring gear on the flex plate?

thats wierd that the knob control had a different effect than you just turning the dist.

 

I've used tilton ministarter , then a a remanufactured unit, then finally a brand new duralast .

 

Leave your timing locked out, crank engine first, then flick on your ignition.

Dave

 

X2 on this...after a few flexplates later i put the ignition on a switch been good ever since. Also check that starter is properly shimmed.

 

wait wait wait, before you spend more do on these gadets. I had a similar problem....... With a mini starter too. I broke the outside bolt.......The starter was twisting a bit.....

1.We checked the timing and it was a little advanced so I set it at 16*-18* base.......32-34* all in...

2. After the first mini starter scared me a bit.... I tried a new Ultima mini starter(GM 1999-2000 suburban or 1500's for the 7.4 454) from Oreilly's... still got the clunking grinding noise..... I even tried a CVR High torque starter from Smiley's racing, no go.......We put the ol big heavy duty stock starter back on.... While cool It worked for a few days and started fine then we ran into heat soak problems after that from being to close to the 2" headers.... You go somewhere then try starting it, ran into problems......

3. Then I tried the ford solenoid trick....worked great at first, one start, two start, third the starter stayed running........turned the key off, starter still running,had to disonnect the negative on the battery to get it to shut off.... Problem was the ford solenoid spring was not too dependable in shut off the power to the opposite polar terminal. We tried several solenoids....It even ran on while I was at Oreilly's......

4. So we put the car on the lift at my buddies shop and watched the starter when starting and we found even with the stock starter. The starter was moving slighty away from the flexplate, hence causing the clunking grinding noise........ We needed a starter bracket.....

5. So I came home, after a few beers, and 2 cigars later and brain stormed. I went to the Robbins Cheverlot and bought a starter bracket....... In the meanwhile DB electrical sent the replacement mini starter for the first PM300......

6. I did some slight fabrication to the starter bracket, drilled another hole with a 3/16th bit and also put some locking washers on the starter bolts....... 1 week later cars starts almost like a new car...... smoothe, no more grinding clunking, heat soak, etc..... I daily drive this car so it gets several starts a day..........

Also check your carb and tune it so you will have a smoother start and optimal idle mixture..... I idle around 900-950, 700rpms in gear.
I set the starter back to base, turned em all in and backed each one out 1 1/2 turns, then set from there.......Making sure If I turned on 1/8th I turned em all the exact same amount......

Bottom line you may need to tweak that starter bracket do to the fact that it apparently not keeping the startet from twisting...... It does not have to be much for the pinion and flexplate to be off, were are talking .020-.050 inches or even 1/8"........... What you can do is put the car on a lift, take a crowbar and hold the bar up against the starter bracket while starting it and moved it back and forth until you find the optimal starter engagement position, then tighten the bracket bolts. Thats another trick you can do................... I know the big block starter brackets are hard to find, the SBC or plentiful.... You can use the SBC but you will have to fab and drill to fit.........


I hope this helps,just throwing some ideas around with ya........:thumbsup:

 

I got rid of the locked out timing for that very reason. I hated it. Chipped 2 flexplates and one starter gear.

 

I ran heavy stock style high torque starters for about 7 years on my 14.5-1 small block with distributor locked at 36°--get it spinning before turning on the ignition and it worked fine.
For the last few years I've used the permanent magnet style from a late model GM application (Cost $75) it'll spin it with the ignition on and fire right up, and it weighs about 8 lbs.

 

I went with a power masters XS Torque starter and never had an issue since. This was on a 14:1 sbc race car, I would break the others from kick back.

 

A quality flexplate is a must, too much made in China junk floating around with poor material and manufacturing. Try a JW wheel.

 

x2

The JW "the Wheel" are really well-built.

Or, you could use a CSR 4130 chromemoly machined flexplate. I've used one for years on a 14.2-1 SBC with a Tilton HD starter with a crank trigger ignition (no start retard) and methanol. Never a starting issue.

My 10.5-1 540 has had a CSR 4130 flexplate on it for 2 years with a Powermaster XS starter. Same thing. No problems starting even when hot.

The cheapie 59.95 flexplates (even the "SFI" ones) are light gauge and flimsy, with questionable ring gears and welding.

I suspect most of them are sourced offshore.:sad:

Randy

 

Even my CSR had a bad ring gear on it. It knocked the WHOLE tooth off. Chipping is understandable, the tooth cracking off is not. My $69 TCI one lasted the whole season. The CSR broke on the 3rd start.

 

Same problem here. 2 Mini Starters from Orielly's and now a 2 chipped teeth on the flexplate. I watched the starter as it engaged and mine was still moving around. I plan to get a new plate, mini starter and make some brackets to hold it tight. Also going to get some grade 8 bolts and use lockwashers.

 

For what it's worth, I was having this kind of trouble with a 70's model 454 block, no starter I tried would stay in place -- They walked around and chewed up the gears. I finally ordered one of the starters with all 3 bolt holes and that fixed the problem. Not sure what part number is, but Jeg's sells it, and it's in the $200ish range.

 

Ok, I installed a distributor that was not locked out. I should have done this a long time ago. Smooth starting , no more awful noises. By 3k rpms all my timing is in. This distributor that I installed has got the msd module (w/ rev limiter) and msd ignition coil. I am happy with it so far.

 

I know someone that did this, and loved it. The car starts like a dream. I put light weight springs in it and at idle (1600 rpm) I still have 30-32 timing. Just goose the throttle and it goes to 40.