Starter shims

[Richard K.]

Just wondering if the factory would ever install starter shims on the production line. The 1969 TSM&JG only shows some cement applied to the nose of the starter before installation. As I understand, shims were used to assure a good contact between the starter's gear teeth and the crankshaft damper's teeth. I guess I want to be lazy tomorrow and not put machinist's dye on the starter'gear, install the starter, start the car a few times, then remove the starter to see how the gears are contacting by examining the machinists dye, install necessary shim(s), then re-install the starter. Were the tolerances between these parts acceptable enough that the factory ignored shimming ? Has anyone encountered starter shims on a small block Corvette?

[Edward J.]

Re: Starter shims

Richard, there a similar post below that shows you how to measure the clearance of the starter drive. I am not sure about checking the gears with machinist dye as you may need something someone who has done it before.and another thing if you have a 4speed car it may be a little hard to see the gears?? When measuring. My take is to listen to the starter when cranking. GM such a good job mating the starter to block it would be very rare to have to use a shim. If you have a very noisy drive gear, you have something up with the housing.sometimes the rebuilders drill the nose for a oversized bushing and don’t have it square,and given the age of these starters they have been rebuilt many times.