'62 Pontiac Catalina starter/gear issue++Experts needed

I am posting on behalf of my mate who has '62 Catalina with 389 4 speed that has just landed here local and is having a problem with the ring gear and starter and I was hoping you may be able to ***ist.

The problem is that the nose on the starter is not protruding far enough and not completely engaging with the ring gear. It's metal on metal with a terrible grinding sound. The starter then spins too freely and ****s out. The gear is left chewed up. They've tried shimming the starter and it just cant be shimmed any further. I'd say it's less than 7 or 8mm away (shops indication)

I know that there were some changes along the way as was the way with BOP, is there any part numbers to look at for correct ring gear?


It is possible that the T-10 is not the correct one for the year. So maybe there's a difference there.

Believes the starter is correct, though it is a newer style one.

Any insight Pontiac scholars?

Here's a pic of the car..

 

Sounds like the wrong starter to me.

 

This is the starter he used-did a bit of research and believes is the right one. Got it from ebay cos of paypal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200369880880?item=200369880880&viewitem=&vxp=mtr

 

Any ideas?

I guess I am asking if there is any known issue with these cars with their starters and ring gear. I know it's stupid to try and diagnose an issue over the web. Hoping someone will say "Hey, yeah you need this and that # because mine did the same thing"

 

I would shoot Tony "Goatroper" a PM. He's good with Oldsmobiles of the era and probably knows a bunch about Pontiacs as well.

Bob

 

Thanks Bob!

 

ok what year for engine 61.62 have small crank flage and if you have a newer flywheel it will maby not in center try with a indicater clock on flywheel and turn crank and read clock

 

I don't have a lot of experience with the newer [1961 and later] Pontiacs but the earlier 55-60 Pontiacs had different starters for manual and automatic transmission cars. They bolted in to the front of the bellhousing up till 1964-65..The starters for the manual transmission cars had a shorter snout than the automatic engines.
It's possible you're trying to use an automatic trans starter and it may be sending the starter drive in too far, catching only the edge of the ring gear.
Also, how in the world are you shimming that starter? If the car truly has a 1962 389, it should have a starter that bolts to the front of the bell housing. I suppose you could make a shim to bring the starter forward, away from the bellhousing...
If your starter bolts to the bottom of the block, it's a 64 or newer engine, in which case all my info will be disregarded.

 

You might try Nunzi's Automotive in Brooklyn NY, big time old school Pontiac guy
718) 837-1135

 

Thanks all, I have p***ed on this great information.

Rocky, not sure how they are shimming exactly but he has said they have tried a number of ways.