Replaced Starter in 1984 Cutlass Supreme; Now makes noise...

Shakes73 wrote:

Might have to add a starter shim to it,the starter drive maybe to close to the flywheel.Usually when you buy a starter it comes with shims that are different thickness.Also take your dust cover down and check for bad teeth on the flywheel.

thanks, I appreciate the feedback. This morning i went to start the car and the sound is gone, i've started it several times and it seems fine...I'll probably give it a look just incase, but thanks again! Oh and do i need to buy a specific starter shim kit? or are there universal sets available?
 >> Stay informed about: Replaced Starter in 1984 Cutlass Supreme; Now makes noise... 

Maybe it's just me, but I never bought a GM starter with shims
included. If the starter is machined wrongly it's cheap enough for them
not to bother with shims. The shims are used to correct for block
machining. When the old starter is removed you need to be aware if
there are shims there and replace them. If you lost them you will need
to buy some. Maybe somebody previous to the OP lost them and that's why
he also had the sound with the previous starter.
Most likely though the OP has problems with those flywheel teeth in one
area of the circumferance. Until he engages at that bad part he doesn't
hear the noise. Eventually he will be buying a flywheel and starter. If
the teeth are inspected now one by one and all burrs removed, he might
go happily on his way. And the new starter drive may already be
damaged, but probably not. I wouldn't be starting it until I inspected
it.
 >> Stay informed about: Replaced Starter in 1984 Cutlass Supreme; Now makes noise... 

I havn't gotten a chance to inspect it yet but I've had to start it a few more times since and I get the hi-pitched grind occassionally still and it seems to crank sluggishly and just overall doesn't sound right the other times. Right after the new starter was installed it cranked like a brand new car almost then it just started going to sh!t. If it was the flywheel causing the problem, what price range am I looking at for parts & labor to get it replaced?
 >> Stay informed about: Replaced Starter in 1984 Cutlass Supreme; Now makes noise... 

look and see if the ring gear is chewed up Did you put in the right amount
of shims or just got a bad rebuilt
 >> Stay informed about: Replaced Starter in 1984 Cutlass Supreme; Now makes noise... 

the starter that died had no shims and the rebuilt one i purchased didn't come with any shims either...it's a Palladium from Advanced Auto Parts, ran about $57 before core deduction. so it's a possibility it's a bad rebuilt? I keep thinking maybe the bolts werent tightened enough because my dad was the one physically removing the dead starter and installing the rebuilt....and he pretty much has no knowledge of cars lol....he drives an '05 Focus so that should tell u something.
 >> Stay informed about: Replaced Starter in 1984 Cutlass Supreme; Now makes noise...