Starter doesnt fit

[autonaut]

The pinion clearance is way too big. It should be around 0.060"-0.140", but is 0.190"-0.200

What gives?

It's a jegs ministarter im installing instead of the big slow original one. But the clearance is way too big on the new one according to specs! I've tried to shim it but nothings changed! The installation manual states the shims are for increasing distance. Not decreasing, though i gave it a shot to see what happens.

What would you do?

The starter is not hooked up and wont be for a week or so as i have no battery at this moment. So i cant try it out. Either way, being that the clearance is much bigger than it should be, im not a fan of trying to engage it either.

 

[pontiacgp]

the shims adjust the meshing of the gears not the distance between the pinon and flexplate. Did you ask Jegs about the problem and is there a housing shim that you can remove?

 

[autonaut]

the shims adjust the meshing of the gears not the distance between the pinon and flexplate. Did you ask Jegs about the problem and is there a housing shim that you can remove?

I havent asked them no. So far my research says that these chinese hi torque Jegs and Summit starters sometimes have this fault! And that you have to turn the housing down using a lathe to solve the issue. I dont have access to a lathe. And returning the starter would cost me more than the starter is worth as i dont live in usa.

 

[autonaut]

Hmm..

I have found out i have a 168tooth flexplate, which normally would require a starter with ofset mounting bolts.. Mine jegs starter is inline. But when i google the starter it should fit for both 168 and 152 tooth flexplate.. Thats why i bought it. Because it would fit both. But it appers it doesnt!

 

[565bbchevy]

The mini starters like that fit both the 153 tooth and 168 tooth flexplates by using 2 sets of bolt holes with only one set working with each flexplate and as pontiacgp stated the shims are only for adjusting the distance between the starter ring and the pinion gear.
Did you try loosening the bolts a little to see if the starter will move a bit farther forward, the bolt holes could be slightly oversize.
Did you try manually turning the engine over to see if your distance changes you might have excessive run out on your flexplate.
And I also agree that if there is a starter motor to mounting block shim that can be removed this would also decrease the distance between the flexplate.

 

[jeremyandthemonte]

I think your using the wrong holes look at factory and aftermarket

 

[monte olrac]

also check to see if the starter motor has a shim between the block, some come with it.