Vortec block and starter motor issue

Quickstop [UK]

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Hi guys,

I've been trying to start my Syclone this week but have a bit of a snag with the starter.

When I turn the key, it engages and the motor turns and then after a couple of seconds, there is a massive bang and it stops turning. I looked under the truck when it was turning and the flexplate seems chewed up at one spot. I've tried shimming the starter and that seemed to help but sure enough, BANG. I can't do much with this issue so... A little history.

I have the vortec block flexplate and ordered a starter from an Astro van thinking that would work. I know the offset is slightly off so I plan to take it off later and compare it with the original one. I thought I did at the time.

I saw that some people mentioned elongating the starter motor holes to make this work but also a thread where E-Rue ended up using a balance shaft starter motor. Who has done the bolt holes mod and how did you do it please?

Can I make the stocker work or is that not possible? Only a small part of the flexplate is chewed up so if it were the teeth on the starter, I'd have thought that all of them would be messed up.

I need to pull it anyway as the ground to the starter is far too close to the DP but I'd like to know what to put back in the truck.

Hope you've had a great weeked!

Thanks in advance,

Mark
 
P

ppress79

Member
Re: Vortec block and starter motor issue

I used flywheel shims to move the flexplate back to get the clearance I needed. I've had no problems since.

Phil
 
dgoodhue

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: Vortec block and starter motor issue

Flywheel shims would work. I just elongated the holes of the vortec starter using a drill bit. I don't remember what size but it something like a 3/8". Put some paper to help keep the metal shavings out of the starter gear. I have done it twice, it only take about 15 minutes; I think in have a picture in my Vortec thread. If you could find a Vortec flywheel with the right bolt pattern for the torque converter that would work also.
 
Quickstop [UK]

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: Vortec block and starter motor issue

Thanks guys. I just pulled the motor and it's the same as the Ty. SMH.

Is there an easy way to shim the flywheel or do I need to pull the trans? Access looks tight.

I would struggle to get a flywheel here for less than a starter motor. Also, the crank and flywheel were all balanced - would a new flex plate affect that? I guess seeing as I have a spare starter, I can elongate the holes but how do you stop it twisting loose? It seemed to flex a lot under there. I have higher compression on this motor too.

Thank you!
 
dgoodhue

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: Vortec block and starter motor issue

I don't think my starter twists. I have had this one on for 5000 miles. Yours might be twisting because its miss aligned.
 
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