BBC starter problems
 

427 bbc with a stock starter makes horrible grinding noises.
Here is what I have done.
Shims all different positions.
checked the engagement with a paper clip
2 different starters
1 new flexplate.
It has the knurled bolts and the rear brace.
Had someone else try their hand at it
The starters have the bolts directly across from each other.
Nothing changes the noise.
Any suggestions?

Re: BBC starter problems
 

Bench test? Quiet spinning? Sufficient voltage. Large enough cable? Can you reach solenoid and try starting by jumping with screwdriver.

Re: BBC starter problems
 

168 tooth or 153 tooth flywheel. 153 has starter bolts straight across 168 tooth flywheel has staggered bolt starter pattern. Most stock big blocks had 168 tooth flywheel. hope this helps.

Re: BBC starter problems
 

This starter has the bolts straight across. The block has three holes,but only the 2 straight across are taped. If I had a 153 tooth starter and a 168 tooth flexplate would the starter work?

Re: BBC starter problems
 

No. The nose on the starter is in a different location. But you stated you used the paperclip for spacing then it tells me they are a match.

Re: BBC starter problems
 

Have somewhat of same problem, (sorta). Been through 3 flex plates in 2 seasons. Just wears teeth out. We've shimmed, checked, rechecked and come to conclusion that cheap flex plates and material coming from Chun wo ho. . BBC also, 168T.

Re: BBC starter problems
 

Do you have a aftermarket crankshaft ?
Some aftermarket cranks have a thicker crank flange which moves the flexplate closer to the starter drive which can prevent the starter drive from spinning out and engaging properly.
Most aftermarket starters come with a pair of shims which move the drive away from the flexplate.

Re: BBC starter problems
 

Something else I would check is the run-out of the flexplate using a dial indicator.

Re: BBC starter problems
 

if a lot of run out i,ve seen guys just give a good wack with big hammer to realign .. thrust bearing will handle it

Re: BBC starter problems
 

Stock GM starters were often a horror show to make work without the problems you have.

Been there a million times in my mechanic days

I tried everything including using a rat tail file in the starter mounting holes to move starter closer or farther away from the block.

Tried different starters with various noses....rebuilds usually. There were some different noses, some even were cast iron noses and manual trans might be different than an auto flexplate

There is no easy answer.

Even the aftermarket gear reduction starters can do it but shimming usually fixes it.

Re: BBC starter problems
 

The right cast iron nose has helped with problems on a few BBC's that have come through the shop. The flywheel run out rears it's head, esp when I have a warped one on the balance. Not a good thing for balance.. I've thrown away a few that had the ring welded on elliptical. Good luck hunting down the issue.

Re: BBC starter problems
 

Wouldn't a thicker flange on the crank move the flexplate farther away from the starter?

Re: BBC starter problems
 

Yes ,I just looked at that ,don't know why I typed closer ! brain fart I guess . but the distance issue is still a possibility .

Re: BBC starter problems
 

I assume your starter bearings and starter drive are healthy. I remember a BBC block my brother and I had that did the same thing. We machined the mating surface of the starter. Not sure it solved the problem but it was much better. Don't remember how much we removed but if you go to far you can always shim back. Maybe try it with a nosepiece you don't care about (ie not a cast iron nosepiece). If you find this is the problem machine the block next time it is out so you can use any unmachined starter. Can you use a start retard device? Good luck, Ray

Re: BBC starter problems
 

I used to do a lot of pulling, rebuilding and installing engines and if the the starter sounded good when driving in to pull the engine I always sent that starter out to be rebuilt. Been through that starter nightmare to many times sometime it took longer to fix the starter than it did to pull and install the engine.
Terry

Re: BBC starter problems
 

I spent 30 years in a fleet garage (Ralston Purina) working on forklifts, power workers, semi trucks, bobcats,lawn equipment,aerial platforms, even locomotives. I can remember fighting this issue several times and finally figuring out how to cure it. These were not modified engines with aftermarket flywheels and such, but we did have similar issues. If you're sure the mechanics are correct, and your starter is fine, you might try this. We started putting a nice sized remote continuous duty solenoid and running 10 gauge wire to it, and then over to the starter solenoid, which in these engines were a part of the starter as they were GM engines. We used the original starter lead to trip the soleniod.It cured it every time. Must be some type of voltage issue, but on a meter everything showed normal. I always thought the solenoid must not have had enough force on it to hold it in tight and the working of the pinion in and out makes racket and severe vibration under load.. But all I know is it fixed it .It's a pretty cheap fix if it works. We ended up with every Clark Lift Truck in the place having one of thoses Hot Starts installed.

Re: BBC starter problems
 

Some good tips here,cover all the basics first.. ''l add....flexplate straight and round...,bolts are knurled,but are they tight in starter....,there are few different sizes.... that flywheel and drive may never be made quiet once it has been roughed up...

The best way I have found to fix noisy starter is install it without the solenoid,so you can engage the drive into the flywheel and check how the teeth meshing...use pliers or needle nose,to turn the drive and check backlash... worst one I ever fixed,I had to mill the nose about .075'' to get teeth deeper...
fit it to where teeth are meshed so they almost bottom out,but you still have a little backlash,can rock the gear just enough you see it has clearance
you will see a huge difference in how the gears work when properly meshed,takes way less effort to turn