78 gmc with 454 & turbo 400 breaking starter nosecones

Peter D. Hipson wrote:

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 05:23:30 -0400, "steelheader" <stelladlc RemoveThis @aol.com> wrote: > sure could use some help. my 78 gmc truck 2 wheeldrive,454 with t400 auto. >has broken 3 starter nosecones as fast as i can install them. never had any >problems untill i had to change the old one out. flexplate has a slight >rounding at gear, but don't see anything real bad. maybe warped? I've got >a new one but never have changed one before. after unbolting converter do >i need to unbolt bell housing and pull tranny out or just back to get to >bolts or maybe thats not prob. at all. any advice would be forever >appreciated maybe i should get gear reduction starter????? please help >this rookie, i love my truck! thanks Shims/clearance... The front (rear of starter, but facing the front of the truck) starter mount missing?

I agree, the starter nose it to close to flywheel. You need to shim it about 20 to 30 thousands to begin with.
 >> Stay informed about: 78 gmc with 454 & turbo 400 breaking starter nosecones 

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:14:56 GMT, Woogeroo® <woogerooNOBS.DeleteThis@yahoo.com>
wrote:


>yeah - the shims - wich are thin pieces of metal that go between the
>starter and where the starter mounts to the block - they come in
>different thicknesses - it is a trail and error kind of thing as to
>how close or near it needs to be.
>

It is a lot of things, but trial and error is not one. There is a
procedure to measure gear tooth clearance, compute the shims needed,
and then you get it right. Guessing gets you broken starters, stripped
flywheels/flexplates, and other nasty things.
 >> Stay informed about: 78 gmc with 454 & turbo 400 breaking starter nosecones 

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 09:38:00 -0400, Peter D. Hipson
<phipson.TakeThisOut@deletethisword.darkstar.mv.com> wrote:

>Shims/clearance...
>
>The front (rear of starter, but facing the front of the truck) starter
>mount missing?


yeah - the shims - wich are thin pieces of metal that go between the
starter and where the starter mounts to the block - they come in
different thicknesses - it is a trail and error kind of thing as to
how close or near it needs to be.

Good luck.

-W

p.s. some sites to check out:

http://www.chevytalk.com 73-87 trucks section

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com <- started for 67-72 now covers '47 -
current chevy/gmc



-Woogeroo

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 >> Stay informed about: 78 gmc with 454 & turbo 400 breaking starter nosecones 

Peter D. Hipson wrote:

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:14:56 GMT, Woogeroo® <woogerooNOBS RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote: >yeah - the shims - wich are thin pieces of metal that go between the >starter and where the starter mounts to the block - they come in >different thicknesses - it is a trail and error kind of thing as to >how close or near it needs to be. > It is a lot of things, but trial and error is not one. There is a procedure to measure gear tooth clearance, compute the shims needed, and then you get it right. Guessing gets you broken starters, stripped flywheels/flexplates, and other nasty things.

Not really, you can tell by listening to it if it is too tight and if it was much over .030 interferance fit the starte would likely grind when engaging. This was fairly common on some GM engine in late 60's thriugh mid 70's or so. I have never seen one shimed more than .030 and usually around .015 to.020 at most.
 >> Stay informed about: 78 gmc with 454 & turbo 400 breaking starter nosecones 

On 18 Aug 2005 18:37:10 -0400, SnoMan <UseLinkToEmail.TakeThisOut@AutoForumz.com>
wrote:


>Not really, you can tell by listening to it if it is too tight and if
>it was much over .030 interferance fit the starte would likely grind
>when engaging. This was fairly common on some GM engine in late 60’s
>thriugh mid 70’s or so. I have never seen one shimed more than .030
>and usually around .015 to.020 at most.

Maybe you can tell by listening. Maybe I can tell by listening. But
that doesn't mean the poster can tell, and judging from the post I'd
say not. <g>
 >> Stay informed about: 78 gmc with 454 & turbo 400 breaking starter nosecones