Expert: Van - 12/27/2005

Question
I have a 84 Chevy K20, the current 350 cid motor came out of a 78 GMC Blazer. I have replaced the starter twice in the last year and finally swallowed my pride and took it to the local mechanic. The staters were wearing on the front half of the gear until they wouldn't engage. My mechanic says that they weren't engaging past the first half of the gear and figured I was using the wrong starter. Some flywheel damage has also occured. He has ordered several different starters and flywheels and still can't find a combination that will create a better interface. His parts guy says that that is all you get with a Chevy. It can't get any easier than an old truck, is there a problem within the engine that can allow the flywheel to be out of place? Is this really the way it is supposed to mesh? Don't tell me I need a new mechanic, I only have one. Thanks for any insight you might have.

Answer
Hi Trent,
The only thing you need is a GM starter shim kit.
They are available at just about any parts store.
probably the reason your mechanic doesn't know about them is he is either very young, or just hasn't run across one that needed them.
Your normal Chevy starter just bolts up.
But occasionally there is a spacing problem, so just add a shim or two.
You can do it without totally removing the starter, but with the damage to the flywheel you say you have, I would remove it and dress up the damaged teeth a little....Dremmel grinder, and a 3 cornered file.

Van