steveo346

iTrader: (18)

have a 400 pontiac big block that i just put a new starter on, and it just doesnt wanna f'n shim!

what could be wrong?

cambirdracing

iTrader: (4)

Pontiac from the factory used a thick shim. Don't remember how thick, at least 1/8".

And Pontiac only made one "real" sized motor. No big blocks or small blocks. 265 and 301 excluded, they were all the same deck height and bore center spacing.

steveo346

iTrader: (18)

k thanks for correcting me and all, so i should just add really thick shims?

cambirdracing

iTrader: (4)

Yes, just use thick shims. I didn't mean to belittle you, please forgive me.

steveo346

iTrader: (18)

No offense taken. Ill try later today to shim the **** outta it, just got home from work.

cambirdracing

iTrader: (4)

Good luck.

steveo346

iTrader: (18)

well finally got the damn thing shimmed, and it wont turn it over...so i take out all the plugs and it turns the motor over like no tomorrow, friends have told me the motor has to high of compression for the stock starter, so im gonna buy a starter for a 95 chevy dually equiped with a 454 and see if it turns it over

cambirdracing

iTrader: (4)

Youwillhave to change the nose cone. But they are probably the same motor. Need to back the timing off a little bit and see what happens. I had problems with my 455 and ended up with a mini Powermaster starter from Jeg's and 2 Optima batteries. The mini starters dont' use shims if you get one.

steveo346

iTrader: (18)

hmm...so i wont be able to just bolt on the 454 starter?

cambirdracing

iTrader: (4)

NO, they are on the wrong side of the engine.

steveo346

iTrader: (18)

Fml!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gto69judge

iTrader: (32)

Find a starter with a heavy duty long field coil. Most rebuilt 455 starters should have them. You can tell by where the copper strap coming out of the starter housing connects to the solenoid. The HD coil needs a spacer between the solenoid and the strap compared to the light duty coil that screws directly to the solenoid without a spacer. (This suggestion applies to all performance engines).

If you already have the 454 starter it should be the HD unit so it should work if you swap the nose from the Pontiac starter to it. Start with 2 .060" shims.

Be SURE to use the rear support strap on it. All Pontiacs MUST use the support to keep the starter from binding.