Chevyguy358

iTrader: (4)

Recently i did a t56 conversion and also at the same time pulled the motor and went with a different cam and heads combo on my 383. I finally got it all back together and ready to fire. It however has a strange issue with the starter in which it seems to me that the starter gear is meshed with the flywheel way too tight, this is causing very slow starts in which it almost seems like the battery is dead (its not and tested fine). Also during cranking the starter body shifts and moves, even though it is very secure prolly around 50 ft lbs or so on the bolts. Obviously I can play around with shimming it but was curious what you guys thought.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

Are you using the stock starter? 12.4:1 compression is a LOT for the stock starter designed for 10.5:1. I'm running at 12.2:1 with a Jegs ProTorque.

Chevyguy358

iTrader: (4)

yea stock one, however it never had an issue with the same compression before. In fact this cam has more overlap then the last and should allow for easier cranking

Chevyguy358

iTrader: (4)

ok well I spaced out the starter and now it starts easier, however it still makes a high freqency squeal. The flywheel and the starter are both from my year car. I would assume that the starters are the same between the 6 speed and the 4l60e setup?? The pitch between the the flywheel the starter gear should be the same right?

FlamingChicken

iTrader: (2)

speaking of shims did you install the inspection shield? it acts as a shim for the stock starter.

Chevyguy358

iTrader: (4)

ok...thats exactly where I was goin...no I never got one with my conversion "kit"...where does it mount ect

FlamingChicken

iTrader: (2)

its just a thin piece of metal that mounts between the block and trans. it covers the bottom of the flywheel but also shims the starter.

Chevyguy358

iTrader: (4)

ouch...guess i'll have to pull the trans

BALLSS

???, you don't need to pull tranny to put on dust cover, just starter.

just 4 screws hold it on.

Chevyguy358

iTrader: (4)

o ok...i guess just the ford guys have the plate that mounts between the motor and trans. So this inspection plate holds the starter in a particular orientation to the flywheel?

PipesTA

iTrader: (7)

Here's what the cover looks like. It bolts to the bottom half of the bell housing that is exposing the flywheel at the moment. The starter has to be removed, inspection cover bolted up, and then the starter goes through the inspection cover.

Chevyguy358

iTrader: (4)

of course GM no longer makes it....does anyone know whether the inspection shield actually restains the starter to that particular place or if you simply bolted a starter up it would sit in the same spot.

BALLSS

the inspection/dust cover has nothing to do with starter instalation other than it goes on before starter

Chevyguy358

iTrader: (4)

I just got done talkin to a gm tech to said for proper positioning of the start it is necessary....its discontinued and also I cant find it in any slavage yards around here

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

After my cam install I still haven't put my inspection plate/dust shield back on. I have no starting issues whatsoever. The only thing that dictates the position of the starter is the two starter bolts. Anyone who tells you otherwise, GM tech or not, is incorrect.

Chevyguy358

iTrader: (4)

thats strange b/c mine is way off, and there is a degree of movement allowed with the starter bolts in place

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

No, the starter should be locked in place with the two bolts torqued down. If you have any movement, then I'd check to see if your starter is fully seated on the block, and that the bolts are fully bottomed out on the starter.

FlamingChicken

iTrader: (2)

the starter definitely should not move if its bolted down. make sure the bolts are right. i bought the ones at autozone in the help! section bc one disappeared and they were too long.

BALLSS

the starter bolts to the block...no front to back movement. Only adjustment would be shims between starter and block which would effect up/down movement. The dust cover does not act as a "shim" for front to back alignment

are the "help" section bolts you got the right size??

if they are "narrower" bolts than that would introduce the possibility of incorrect front to back position

Chevyguy358

iTrader: (4)

Yes I am using the correct bolts, they are the same ones I used with the old setup. The movement I am refering to is minimal and is a result of the slop between the bolt diameter and the holes it travels through. When bolted down and snug it no longer moves know that i have shimmed it, however before it wouldmove b/c, i would assume, the gears were too close to each other causing a bind