How To Install & Shim a Starter

Starter gear not engaging, loud grinding or kicking out? Here's how to properly shim a starter and check clearances.
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Some starters required shims to provide clearance between the flywheel and the pinion gear. Some people also use flat washers in place of shims. To know about the shimming procedure, you need to know how to remove and install starter.
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NO WARRANTIES: All of the information provided in this video is provided "AS-IS" and with NO WARRANTIES. No express or implied warranties of any type, including for example implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, are made with respect to the information, or any use of the information, in this video. DEBOSS GARAGE ("DG") makes no representations and extends no warranties of any type as to the accuracy or completeness of any information or content of this video.
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY: DG specifically DISCLAIMS LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES and assumes no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of the use or misuse of any of the information or content in this video. DG recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. DG assumes or undertakes NO LIABILITY for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the use, misuse or reliance on the information and content of this video.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK: This video is for informational purposes only. It is your responsibility to evaluate your own safety and physical condition, or that of your clients, and to independently determine whether to perform, use or adapt any of the information or content in this video. Any automotive repair and/or modification may result in injury. By voluntarily undertaking any task displayed in this video, you assume the risk of any resulting injury; your safety is the sole responsibility of the user and not DG.

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

You guys have been asking for stickers. They're finally here teespring.com/deboss-le

[@cliffordhershberger7875]

DEBOSS GARAGE I’ve got a 12v that I recently put a starter on. The problem is that the front 1/3 has been ground down. Is that from normal wear or should I shim the started somehow? The truck has 760,000 miles which is roughly 1.2 million kilometers

[@boo2theizzoadamz662]

@@cliffordhershberger7875 need

[@belosadity4746]

where can i find those exact shims??? i cant find them anywhere and the universal ones doesnt line up with my bolts at all HELP!!!

[@jdg2335]

Caution: Always disconnect the battery cable from the starter when doing this. If you pry the drive out with the battery cable connected THE STARTER WILL CRANK THE ENGINE. You are basically manually engaging the solenoid when you pry the gear towards the flywheel.

[@SOLDOZER]

Someone stole your transmission. You have bigger issues.

[@hollowdonte]

Thank you I'm putting an aftermarket universal starter on my 64 dynamic 88 and this was extremely helpful

[@mrwebber35]

Going out to check today. Thanks for the tutorial. Hope I'm checking before there is any damage.

[@WatchWesWork]

No beer cans for shims? Very disappointed...

[@michaelrhodanz1766]

Couldn't help but notice that your transmission is missing. Does that help with your procedure?

[@cooperdog9956]

That's easy when the fly wheel is exposed.......unfortunately my Jeep is not.

[@DoRC]

It amazing how many chevys make that distinctive "someone doesnt know about starter shims" scrapey grinding noise when starting.

[@cdy291]

Its amazing how chevys actually need starter shims

[@rcbasher101]

@@cdy291 You know your tolerances are bad when...

[@PrestonSteele09]

Now I understand, almost a decade too late. Haha

[@AnthraxxRc]

Lmao bro I’m literally dealing with this rn I have two on my starter but it’s sounding like it disengages and try’s again

[@DoRC]

@@AnthraxxRc If it sounds like it's disengaging and reengaging you might have too many shims.

[@aaronshensky9385]

Didnt know about putting the Allen or screwdriver into hole in the bottom of the starter. Thanks for the video.

[@josepeixoto3384]

Good video,thanks; But this if for a starter that is under center,that one you're showing; The mercruiser 3.0 i'm working on has the starter at 90º,right on centerline of the flywheel,so no shims will move it one way or the other; it needs to be right from factory.

[@TOXIXIFY]

In that case you could drill out the mounting holes larger and position it better.

[@leeburtt5453]

Thanks for simplifying the process!

[@mobilemowers]

Never knew about that hole or how to gap / shim. I used the small vortec starters on the older Chevy engines. So much easier to put up a 5 -10 pound starter vs 20-30 pound starter ect. Plus they are cheap.

[@nbowling10trio]

Some of the chevy starters come with a long eighth inch dowel pin for meshing the teeth to starter shank. I think it was advance auto is where I first seen the instructions in box that came with the dowel.

[@JohnsJunk]

Only time I've ever had a starter go to grinding was right before the bolts came loose and the starter fell off the truck. But I've always had fords. Not sure what I'm saying here...

[@jongilbert5162]

My starter doesn’t have a hole to pull gear forward

[@JunkExpressJunkRemoval]

Thank you for not adding 10 minutes of BS to this video! To the point. Thanks!

[@shadetreeracer3715]

It's more fun to do in the gravel with no lift and a lowered truck

[@ooigfgnnkhjjnc]

How do you measure with the transmission in the car?

[@dans9228]

Very helpful video! Thank you!

[@markgroth4380]

Is the clearance between the top of gear to the bottom of the other gear? Or between where the gears meet?

[@bogee83]

Mark Groth he put the welding rod between where the gears meet

[@Ben-jq5oo]

Really clear explanation, demo and camera work. Subscribed!

[@jasmynpillz7998]

It sucks when u have to shim a starter. I've done enough of them to finely do it right now.

[@waltercardenas7354]

Good video A+++++++++++++

[@TheseBygones]

How many shims for a starter on a 350 Small Block On a 3RD Gen Camaro?

[@hamish2202]

watched this video cause i was like what the hell all starters i've dealt with just bolt on with 2 or 3 bolts

[@ralphledger1221]

Great explanation if you have the transmission removed. I need to check mine with it assembled. I will probably end up removing the transmission. There is no way to accurately slide the wire in to check the lash with the drive train and headers installed. I'm sure there are keyboard commandos who will tell me about the hundreds of starters they have correctly shimmed without removing anything. Good video however shimming just one side removes the support that full contact with the block provides you.

[@DIYMechanic1]

Hmm. Never had to do this before; but then again, I drive a Ford so.... ??? And wait a minute, how in the world do you measure that clearance with the transmission in place? Do you really have to drop the trans on your GM to change the starter!? Just a little friendly ribbing amongst friends... Keep up the good work, guys.

[@mopar43v3r]

Even as a Ford guy I find his Ford ribbing pretty damn funny. But this aint a time it applies. Having to shim a starter so it works is the dumbest shit ever.

[@nFlames2]

I have had to shim ford starters " Dorman Part No. 02361". While the flywheel dust cover is off it can be easily done on old GMs.

[@mopar43v3r]

@@nFlames2 then you did something wrong or used the wrong starter.

[@nFlames2]

@@mopar43v3r If i was wrong why is Dorman making starter shims for Ford? " Dorman Part No. 02361"

[@mopar43v3r]

@@nFlames2 you think repeating it makes you right? It's for people that buy the wrong starter. Out of the 15 Ford trucks and multiple engine swaps I've done, I've never, ever had to shim one. Probably because I don't buy shitty starters either

[@AlphaPanda313]

I had to watch 4 fn videos to learn what you showed me in 2 min!! Thank you!!!!!

[@joshdobson2737]

Here we go. ........meow

[@alansmith7626]

if anyone is watching this in 2024 I just wanted to add, if you have the correct shims you only have to remove one bolt and loosen the other one--the shims are made with a hole on one end and is slotted on the other...just some fyi from an older dude...Great vid, I also had no idea about the hole in the bottom!

[@jcpage305]

What if without shims at all it makes the famous 80s gm starter whine while turning over the engine? Do i shave the starter housing to engage the starter gear deeper? Adding shims just makes it worse.

[@keltonmcbride5836]

Try just shiming the outer bolt to tilt the starter towards the flex plate. Might have a problem where it's too far away already

[@viktourdesmond4346]

Make sure you align the starter and flywheel accordingly. I learned the hard way, with the worst grinding noises ever.

[@dmanxmanx]

Having same issues now

[@mrstackracks1189]

same

[@killakobra]

Had a 65 Galaxie you could change the starter from the top in less than 5 minute. No shims required.

[@pigtrapper1329]

I can change mine on an 82 toyota hilux with a small Cresent wrench in a few min. I love older vehicles

[@ufartface]

gms are mounted vertically- fords horizontally

[@killakobra]

The galaxie is vertical.

[@CHIEFBIGFAITH4Christ]

My starter was replaced 11 months ago. Now grinding. Could it be a shim problem, or would that be something that would happen immediately when replaced ⁉️

[@123nova87]

I have the other problem it’s not close enough to the flexplate and skipping the teeth.

[@MichaelRaven-m4v]

Same did you fix it?

[@bjblanchard1508]

See this is stupid no everybody can pull the transmission to stick a wire in

[@wavyent.musicvideos]

My mechanic installed the starter is it the casing broke. We got a new one and it did it again. Would that mean it is too close? But it doesn’t make a weird sound when I start it. And I’ve tried multiple times.

[@eduardoalba3012]

Whoa wait what about that little hole on the starter?!??

[@HrHoeybye]

Hello from Denmark! First of all, nice vidoes. Really informative! Enjoying learning from them! :-) Since it seems like you know everything about diesel engines, I have a question about an old 5.9 L cummins engine, sitting in an old Case MX MAXXUM 110 tractor. So I have recently had problems with starting the engine. I have changed both batteries, now two 12 V 110 A batteries in series, which should be more than enough! I have also invested in a new starter motor - 4 kW, bought at the local dealer, meaning original part and correct starter - the numbers are checked. No problem there, and the starter should be powerful enough. I have turned the engine with a pipe wrench on the crank, and it turns smoothly, so the engine itself is not blocked or anything. No problems there as well! So the bateries read 12.4 V at rest, 11. something when I turn the key. The same reading at where the plus caple is sitting on the starter. And lot other thing tested, but a long story short, I have also tried to short the starter with a screwdriver, and with extra jumper caples directly from battery to starter, both positive and negative. And the only thing I am getting is a small click from the relay, but it does not even kick in on the flywheel, though a small howling tone from the relay from the windshield wiper?!?! So does a wise man like you have an idea to that problem? I hope :-D Greetings from Denmark

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Did you check all your grounds? Take them off and pull on the ends aggressively. It should not go down to 11 with just the key on. It should stay above 9v when cranking.

[@HrHoeybye]

@@DEBOSSGARAGE Hey, thanks for the answer! I will try that tomorrow :-D

[@TheSuraj03]

Get someone to test that starter and make sure it works while it's unbolted from the engine, then go chasing gremlins in your electrical system.

[@laurensiemens1436]

Will a ls starter( from a ls engine) work on a 350?

[@MASTERSAIS]

Thank you so much for the info my mechanic had me buy a box of those shims and I didn't know what they were used for and how many why even had me buy them but now I know exactly what to do and I'm going to get that starter motor on first thing tomorrow thank you

[@krisburford7854]

Mines whining when I turn switch over

[@adamvalenzuela6626]

Starter gets stuck to fly wheel.

[@studeystudebaker]

i have a starter made in china---some books show you need a 1/8 inch clearance between the bendix shaft and the flex plate teeth-working on a complete rebuilt 1977 350-i had old 168 tooth plate ,kinda rough ,i bought rebuilt to use to get it running,but starter woud kick out and stick,so i bought a new flex plate--168.it was so tight it took 5 shims to take up the gap ,then it stuck teeth on the drive bad shape ,i went and got another one the first one was a gmc rebuilt, ok the china one the bendix shaft is a lot thinner than the gmc was ,so now i have to much clearence fron shaft to teeth -and i cant get it closer-when you have to much clearence what do you do then thanks

[@snowmobile488]

NAPA starter? Plan you replace it again in a year........

[@guitarprepnplus1]

Sooooo true. 🔨🔨🔨

[@justiceofskitzerland6429]

Yo is the De Boss Garage about to save my Nana's car!! wow I'm feeling like a mechanic now thank you guys so much for this ❤.

[@kevinlewis9151]

So your telling us we have to pull the motor to change the starter effectively I see a sold truck in my future lmao

[@carlodonnell146]

I much prefer the way that my starter is bolted on; it has a stud to hold it in place while you install the top bolt; but yours is under and you have to hold it and bolt it at the same time. But it is easier because of space I suppose!!!

[@networth8754]

Replacing the starter for a 2002 Nissan Frontier 2.4 L. No shims installed on the original starter and no shims came with the replacement starter. Could I need to use shims in this case? Starter is very difficult to access.

[@asandberg6]

You can bend a paper clip for use as a feeler gauge when the trans is still in place, had to do this for a Fiero I had.

[@SteveP-vm1uc]

I was a mechanic years ago and worked on many old muscle cars. I would never shim one side without the other. I have replaced tons of GM starters that people had not evenly shimmed their starters going in and that leads to breaking the nose of the starter. Also, as many starters as I had replaced, I had a ton of proper shims in my tool box. Straight and angled. The better rebuilders always put shims in the boxes..

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Thanks for the input. It says right in the instructions to shim both, or one side or the other. I trust your experience, but also the people who built and warranty the product.

[@nFlames2]

But when the starter is too far away from the flywheel it makes a load whining noise while starting, wears out flywheels & starter gears. Just have to shim the outside bolt to fix it. Had a neighbor that bought a new chevy truck, dealer played with the noise till it got out of warranty then told him he needed a new engine block to fix the problem. I heard it starting one day asked him if he wanted it fixed it would just take 10 minutes didn't know dealer told him he needed an engine. It's all Old School which is mostly forgotten now.

[@jacquelineperry2168]

350 needed a starter and he put this big starter on there and now I have no lights or radio.when I had the 305 starter on there it ran great.clerk insisted I needed this big starter all I wanted was the 305 back on.

[@servicioelectromecanicocue7025]

Also works with other GM engines with the same kind of starter.

[@TheCanadianBubba]

Surprised you did not make them like the jobber shims where you only need to remove one bolt because the end of the shim is open... so much easier, especially when a transmission is sitting right there as well.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good tip deboss

[@DannyPacheco-j6f]

I installed a new starter on my Mazda protege but it makes loud grinding noise when starting. The old starter did not have shims and it did not make this noise

[@raffaelle462]

what is a shim?is it the metal gasket you add on ?

[@jnljnl8485]

Im on my 5th orileys starter under warranty in 4 months. I set them up perfect and the bushing in the nose cone just craps out in no time. Once it goes the pinion just deflects off the flywheel no matter how you shim it. Its getting harder to get good rebuilt starters for the old stuff.

[@drewkiernan1586]

Did you put the brace on? If not it will break nose cones easy or in my case broke my block

[@CJFilms1001]

The best video installing & Shiming a Starter

[@SpOOkyBubbleGum]

so once again, great video! and i have to admit i can relate to the starter unbolting and install on a ford.. have a 98 explorer, and i rammed the exhaust into something once so as you can imagine its not in the right place anymore, thats the first problem.. second problem is i think some meathead once lost one of the bolts and just found one laying around thats a torx or allan, so thats a disaster trying to get that out, but ive managed to do it multiple times with out too many colorful word.. (that might be a lie..) but other than that, car runs like you wouldnt belive!

[@TylerCox.]

Let me come work for you 😂

[@mulonru2965]

I really needed to see this thanks for posting

[@scowell]

You just need some 0.020 welding wire!

[@davidlaramore9345]

Yeah I bet he didn't reshim the starter.

[@GamingMusicTechAndLife]

Besides the annoying grinding sound is there any danger in not shimming a starter?

[@234dilligaf]

Definitely. Will wear down, or break the flex plate. Guaranteed.

[@ufartface]

ring gear on the flex plate

[@FuelTankerMan]

Awesome tutorial. Short and to the point. Bravo! :)

[@billygreenhorn9275]

Are you going to paint or coat the headers?

[@kevinhache9467]

Could you just have used washers?

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

Generally to thick. We had to move the starter about .020" away from the ring gear. Not too many washers that thin!

[@nFlames2]

​@@DEBOSSGARAGE The bolts that were on that starter are not OEM make sure to use OEM they have a knurled section acts like a lock for the bolts. When using old OEM bolts the knurled section on the shank of the bolts must be in good condition or the bolts will back off. If there is a question on the knurl condition replace them. Old School knowledge.

[@JH-tk6ge]

Haha! I had to use 2 washers on each bolt to get my starter going. Not sure what the hell is going on. It's kind of a franken truck, so I can't tell you why.

[@lewisjoyner3959]

@@JH-tk6ge what size washer having same issue, terrible grinding kickback,

[@baratampaparao11]

Thanks pranam Very fine

[@olenairsoftguy88]

great quality video!

[@michaelheiser861]

i like the cat

[@timferguson1526]

Thank you

[@johntex4751]

Do uou still do fummins i might be intrested??

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

We are booked for the rest of the year

[@johntex4751]

DEBOSS GARAGE alright cool

[@RobertKohut]

Nice!!

[@mrjv750li]

I got 10 thou in the bank lol

[@DEBOSSGARAGE]

you need 20 to 60 thou

[@jmax.6587]

What are some symptoms of having water in the clutch case of a Yamaha rhino, I'm not entirely familiar with utv's and how they work but my buggy won't go over about 7 mph yet it revs up just fine, I've checked intake and most of the important fuel components, I was suggested that there may be water in the clutch case and was wondering if I should trouble myself with checking it.

[@shaunrobertson9203]

Thumbs down for saying...thow

[@ram_diesel_power6039]

First. Good video

[@McCracken_9]

Its not his first good video

[@Joe-xj2tb]

Its not heavy! YOUR NOT STRONG!!! Make it make sense

[@brettwhittlesey6862]

Crap comment

[@belosadity4746]

where can i find these type of shims? @debossgarage