The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 250 starter problems, HELP!

Has anyone out there had this problem? Started up my rebuilt 250 and the new reman starter is not disengaging, makes a horrible noise. It is the front 3-bolt type of starter. Can these type of starters be shimmed or is there another fix for this. Is it electrical? Where can I get shims for this type of starter? :confused:
Thanx in advance
Dano
I really want to drive my truck again, after it has been sitting in the garage for a year. If it's not one thing its another.

If your starter came with the selenoid atatched take it back. If you put the selenoid on make shure the spring is in there. If it is take the starter back. These seem to short out inside & ive never have been able to solve the problem without replaceing the stater.

Ok I'm on my third "new reman" starter from my local auto parts store. Same problem. :mad: When I remove the starter and have my dad turn the key the gear does move back and forth. When I remove it, I hear a thunk sound which I think is the gear disengaging. When I re-install and start it up, the starter doesn't disengage.
I noticed that there are starters for auto boxes and manuals, is it possible they are giving me the wrong starter?
I had the gear ring replaced on the flywheel could they have put the wrong gear ring on my flywheel?
Sorry for being a PITA.
Dano

You might need to shim the starter out from the block. Shims are available at any parts store.

What do you mean by that?? I have a 3-bolt starter, but it bolts back into the bellhousing. Are you saying, yours bolts up into the block?
Read this earlier discussion about a 3-bolt starter.

Old thread about 3-bolt starter
It may be the wrong starter and if so, why did you get a new one in the first place? For that matter, is that the same flywheel and engine block that was rebuilt?
You may be able to shim it as GMCpanel said or you may need a 2-bolt for, I assume a 168 teeth flywheel.

I just read your last post again. You had a new ring gear put on it, as opposed to just getting a new flywheel? Talk to the guy that did the gear and tell him about your 3-bolt starter.

It sounds like its just out of adjustment, but you know that all ready! Don't they just bolt in to the bellhousing using three mounting bolts and no adjustment shims? You need to move it away from the gear so can you take a round file and slot two of the holes so it pivots away from the gear? It won't take much, twenty or thirty thousands should do it. You might want to talk with a starter rebuild shop instead of the local parts house, they may have a better idea on what to do for it.

In case you didn't know, there are three starter types for the Chevrolet 230/250/292. First type is a three bolt, bell housing type like yours, the next is a two bolt engine block mount with staggered bolt holes, and the third is a engine block mount with bolts straight across, or in line. The last two types are just the same as a V8. I don't know enough about them to know if you can convert one or not. There are two different starter ring gears, one has 168 teeth and the other 128 teeth and they to are the same as a V8 and will interchange.
Joe

Could you possibly have a wiring problem not killing power to the S terminal on the starter?

Only time the S terminal should be hot is while it is cranking.

OK! Thanx Joe H (again)!
I noticed when I got under the truck that I had some room in the bolt holes to adjust the starter away from the gear about 1/32" (A *&$# hair), and that did the job. I finally got the truck running and drove it around the block. When I was installing the starter, I was installing from the top and I guess gravity put the starter in a certain position, once I got under the truck I noticed I had room to adjust away from the gear.
Go, figure it took 3 starters to learn my lesson. The manager at my local parts store who sold me the third starter, told me if it doesn't work then he would give me my money back and prefered that I went somewhere else to do my starter business. I noticed that the employees were smirking everytime I went into the store.
Dano