Thread: Starter binding

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I'm getting ready to fire for the first time a stock remanufactured 350 cui Chevy. I'm no engine builder/diagnostic by far, i"m barely a newbie...
My problem is when I turn the ignition to engage the starter, it sounds as if it pushes forward but then just binds. I'm getting smoke off the neg. battery cable if I hold the ignition in the start position. Everything else works fine ie. front and rear lights, radio, etc.

1)I think the starter may be binding against the flexplate. What are the signs your starter is not shimmed right (too tight is what I'm thinking is my problem)??
Any tips on correctly shimming a starter??


I hear the sound of the starter trying to engage, then it just binds and smoke rises from the neagative ground...

starters come with a gauge.

This might help with the shims...

If you are getting smoke from a battery terminal, check your connections. They may not be tight or be corroded.

is it really loud when you crank on it? is the bendex slamming into the flywheel? usually you use just one shim and they come in different thicknesses. do you have a shim installed? are you sure you have the right starter? they have different tooth counts for different size flywheels.

Originally Posted by ceh383

This might help with the shims...

If you are getting smoke from a battery terminal, check your connections. They may not be tight or be corroded.

Thanks for the link Chuck. I can't get the gear out of the starter manually b/c I can't get to it, so measuring by the armature shaft should definitely help.

Speedy- As of now I have NO shims on the starter. And there is no loud slamming noise at all. Just a loud click, then nothing-- but smoke from the negative cable if the ingnition is held in the "start" position.

I swapped the old, seized Pontiac 301 for a remanufactured '84 GMC truck 350cui engine in this Firebird. Damned if I know exactly what I'm doing