Hi all,





never had t do this before. This is on a 99 suburban with Vortec 5.7. Old starter out, new one in but it sounds like it grinds a little. Old one didnt have any shims. new one didnt come with any. any good resources on how to get this right before it focks up the flexplate?

Go to a transmission shop and ask about the shims. They come in various thickness though.

They might give you some.

http://www.autozone.com/miscellaneous-repair-parts/starter-shim-universal-type

Do you have the old starter?  Might not be a bad idea to get dimensions of the starter gear, and see if there's a better fit from a different application.

If its grinding it's not in there right.  The fit shouldn't have a shim.  Sometimes the old bolts seem like you have it all the way in, but it's just a hair out - which means the whole thing will be out of alignment with the flywheel.

I'd pull it off, wipe everything clean, get good light on the whole project, and put it back it - making absolutely sure it's all the way properly in place and tightened.


ETA:  Are you also sure you have the RIGHT starter?  1999 350/5.7L were funny, and I think there were 3 or more different ones to choose from the last time I replaced mine.

Yeah, the starters did looks different but the paper work said they were direct replacements. I'll check it this weekend. supposedly its gottas have 1/8ths clearance between the pinion shaft and the flexplate teeth. I'll go from there. was looking at this.