Need help shimming my starter. Clyde, your particular experience is important.
I've never really had the starter shimmed that well but then I've only started the engine a few times. So I decided to get that fixed today. No matter what I do, the starter is just too far away from the flexplate.
Here's my scenario. I'm running a GM mini starter. The kind made for crate engines. I've confirmed the following:
- starter is staggered bolt pattern, and should be right for a 168 tooth flywheel
- flex plate is 14", also meaning it should be a 168 tooth. I thought maybe I was running a 13" 153 tooth, but it is definitely 14" in diameter.
- I removed all the shims and bolted the starter up without any. I tried the 1/8" drill bit between the armature shaft and flex plate tooth and I have more like 1/4".
- I added 2 flat washers just to the outside bolt of the starter, trying to push it closer to the flexplate, but it didn't help.
- I did the old paper-clip test. I could actually just about fit the 1/8 drill bit between the dear tip of the starter and the deep area of the flex plate.
Clearly this starter just doesn't seem to be going to work. It's maybe getting 1/4 tooth contact. Am I missing something?