to shim or not to shim?

[deves3000gt]

hello again

ok so i got my starter today....kuddos to DB Electrical

now my ? is do i need the shims that came with the starter?
i didn't take any shims off so i don't think i would need to put some on, but there i go thinking again. if i did need a shim or too how would i know?

thanks steve

 

[JustJason]

Re: to shim or not to shim?

Well... I don't know what your working on Steve. But if you bought a factory starter for your engine chances are you won't have to shim.
If you have an aftermarket or a rebuilt unknown core then who knows. Install it and see if it grinds.

 

[deves3000gt]

Re: to shim or not to shim?

I'm sorry it is a chevy 350 in a 78' slickcraft.

 

[meesh]

Re: to shim or not to shim?

As Jason said, put it on and try it. Do you have good cables and a good battery? If you know those are good, try it. If it grinds or struggles to turn over you may have to shim it, but start slow, one at a time. Dont put them in there all at once. The few I've had to shim, never took more than one.

 

[Don S]

Re: to shim or not to shim?

ok so i got my starter today....kuddos to DB Electrical

now my ? is do i need the shims that came with the starter?

Well, here's the thing, like Jason said, had you bought an OEM start, you wouldn't need shims. Since you bought a starter that came with shims, I would bet money you are going to need 1 or more. Why you ask? because they machined some unknown amount off a rebuilt starter to make it flat again.
Best thing to do is pull the engine engage the starter bendix by hand and measure till you get the proper fit.
If you don't, to tight and it will break the end off the starter, to loose and it will take the teeth off the ring gear on the flywheel.