SBC Starter Issue

[TwelveGravity]

I've been trying to find a resolution to the starter issue and I have had no luck so after asking around many places I thought to check here.
ISSUE = 1995 SBC 5.7L starter will not engage the flywheel. After trying to replacement/refurbished starters from the local Auto Zone and had no luck I bought a brand new starter (upon their recommendation ). The starter was noted to be a "Shimless" starter. I bolted it straight up to the block and have no luck with the two sprockets aligning. The starter sprocket will push out and attempt to engage the flywheel ring gear but the mesh between the two will not align. Sounded like a spacing issue so I got a 3 shim pack and tried every combination from the thinnest shim to the thickest shim, then various combinations of all the shims together and still could not get the two sprockets to align and crank over.
I spoke to a few people and I cannot find an answer to solve the issue.
Any thoughts??

 

[78fj40mg]

It looks like the starter sprockets do not line up and they are a bit too small, short and too far apart. I'd remove the flywheel and take to Auto zone along with the starter they sold you and have them mate a starter to your flywheel that works. Also, you may have the wrong flywheel for that engine, another option is to change the flywheel.

 

[shawnfj40]

Is this a new build? If it is you might consider picking a year/application for the v8 and buying a flywheel and starter for that year/model. If it is an old build and your just replacing the starter, you should be able to match up the head on your starter. Worst case you could swap your nose/head onto a new motor/solenoid.

 

[shelfboy1]

there are 2 different flywheels not sure what the tooth count is .there is a straight bolt pattern starter and an offset bolt starter like yours .its been years since ive had this problem but i had to change the flywheel to the larger one

 

[melvinjo]

If this is new build and you havent started it yet, or you bought the vehicles and havent started it, it has to be mismatch issue

Where is the old starter? If you dont have the old one, the flywheel has to be the prob

 

[yotafj]

Check for your bendix or sprag spring in the starter. Most of the rebuilt starters you get from place don't replace the springs so it won't go out all the way to engage but it will still motor will spin but the gear wont. I would try a new starter not a refurbished one. Couldn't see if you had a pin inserted in the hole at the bottom of your starter to see if it will slide out more to where it needs to be?

 

[shelfboy1]

most nose cones i have seen are closer to the fly wheel i checked a couple small blocks yesterday and they seem closer than yours good luck

 

[TwelveGravity]

Thanks for the input. This is not a new build, It was working at some point before I bought it from a friend but when he sold it to me the starter was missing (as well as the 4L60E. He pulled them both from his 1995 Chevy Pickup. I looked into the flywheel sizes. From what I have found there are 153 tooth & 168 tooth fly wheels. The one currently installed is 168. All the replacement flywheels I find online are 168 tooth.

""Check for your bendix or sprag spring in the starter. Most of the rebuilt starters you get from place don't replace the springs so it won't go out all the way to engage but it will still motor will spin but the gear wont. I would try a new starter not a refurbished one""

The starter I tried before this one was refurbished and I experienced said issue. I returned it and bought the "Brand New" starter. This is actually the third starter I have tried. The first being a junkyard replacement, second a refurbished from Auto part store and this current third starter is a brand new one.

I will look at how far the starter sprocket comes out and if it is far enough to engage the flywheel (I haven't thought of that). Then take both the starter & flywheel off and take them to Auto Zone to check other starters or flywheels.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[RAYJON]

Where is rhe old starter?? Compare them,

If you push the bendix over with a screwdriver how far off is the gear..

1995-1996 was a change over to vortec, have them look up one year either way and see if the part number changes,