Hi all,

I was at a Checker (luckily enough), and my '72 wouldnt start back up. The battery is fine, but before giving me a push start the guy sold me a set of shims and told me I need to install them on my started to line up the gears. This is my first project car, so I was wondering if you could give me some advice, and maybe direct me to some pictures and a how-to on the subject. I'll check my manual, but I thought I should just ask because you all know what it's like to be just starting out. Reading the instructions on the box of shims was absolutely no help, since they assume the user already knows what they are doing.

Thanks.

Check to see where the bendix gear is at as far as it's engagement to the flywheel teeth. If it is too tight you need to shim the starter. An easy gauge to use is a simple paper clip. It should fit between the gear tooth of the starter and the flywheel with them centered with each other.If too far away you shim the outside bolt only, which then you trim a shim to be half of it's original length. Remember to use the correct bolts . They are knurled along the shaft of both bolts. Torque them when you get things aligned. Usually you can fit a small screw driver in to move the bendix gear out to check it's engagement to the flywheel. Remember to center it , turn the flywheel if needed to achive this. Hope this helps.

My opinion - your starter was working before without shims - why does it all of a sudden need them now in order to work? Personally, I have NEVER EVER had to shim a starter. Do you have the original special GM bolts that properly locate the unit on the block? If so, I think its time for a starter rebuild, not shims.
Paul

I have 3 shims on the outside only!
but man it starts sweet real smooth,
i went through several starters before i went and bought a 1000 cca battery though and it seems if they ever kicked back on me they would never work as well again and it was a countdown til it went, i have had this starter for 3-4 years