Howdy Is there a front and a back to SBC firewalls, so it would be possible to put it on backwards? Ive got a problem with a 355/th350 (gasp), the starter will engage, turn the engine over properly, but when I stop the starter, it wont disengage from the flywheel. I thought it might be the starter at first, so I tried adding shims to move the starter backwards, and also move it downward, but that didnt help. At one point I probably had a half inch stack of 1/64th inch shims, shimming downward, but that didnt help. (btw it was a pain in the ***, as I had to take the starter out about 40 times, adding one 1/64 inch shim at a time!) The starter in question is a chrome mini starter, so I thought that I possibly gotten a bad one since its aftermarket, so I tried a factory sbc starter, but that one also wouldnt disengage. The flywheel is a 14 inch, I believe. Also its brand new so it has fresh teeth. The motor/****** is hanging from a cherry picker so it is easy for me to check out stuff out if you have any ideas......... Any thoughts? Even if you just have a hint or small possibility of the problem, id appreciate the advice. Briggs
i ***ume you are talking about the flexplate , not firewall...on the flexplate , there is a ring gear that is welded to it , one side of the ring gear will be flush with the plate itself , one side will overhang.....the side that has the ring gear overhanging goes to the front toward the starter
There are two different flexplates (flywheel), I think one is maybe 144 teeth the other 157? Not sure of #s but do you have the correct one for your application?
the 2 different flexplates/flywheels for a SBC chevy are 153 tooth and a 168 tooth. sounds like you might have the the wrong combination. or the more simple solution. have you tried shimming it?
briggs I have two of those mini starters.. (i hate to admit however that neither is CHROME... BUT I DIGRESS) anywho.. the starters I have are drilled with 4 holes and depending on which 2 holes you use the starter can be used with either flexplate.. is it possible that your using the wrong 2 holes? you do know which holes to use dont you? and for what? right? you need I should come out there and help you out old buddy? hopefully your gonna make the 50's this year.. and take lots of pics for me.. as I will be stuck here in "PENNSYLVANIA PURGATORY" good luck. hopefully this is all thats wrong.. jeff
ha? firewall? im talking about the flywheel (flexplate, if you will) anyway, as far as one part of the teeth hanging over the side, and one side being flush like you suggested, it isnt like that (on this flywheel, but come to think of it, ive never seen the teeth flush on any sbc flywheel) The teeth seem to hang over the sides equally. BTW this isnt a stick flywheel Fat50--yes im turning the engine over when its hanging from the flywheel, theres no carb (or fuel) so there isnt a chance of it starting up, and also it is secured with 4 chains on each corner, so I dont think there is a chance its gonna fall, maybe I should set a tire underneath it just in case lol if the gears are chamfered, which side should point towards the engine? it sounds like I have the wrong number of teeth on the flywheel, but when I turn the engine over with the starter it seems to turn freely and doesnt seem to grind, so maybe that isnt it? I have no idea is there a different number of teeth on the starter for the different flywheels? or just different spacing probably.
are you talking about the holes that mount the starter to the block? Ive tried switching and using the other set, but when I do that the starter gets set so far inward to the block that it just rams into the flywheel, missing the teeth by around an inch. yes I think you should venture out here and do it for me! haha I'll take plenty of pics for ya at BTTFiddys, its too bad you didnt make parole this year! hahaha, that pennsylvania purgatory can be rough
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Briggs, The champher is in the center hole, around the crank. The champher should face away from the engine. I would guess you got the flexplate on backwards. The 168 tooth is usually used with bigblocks or smallblocks with turbo 400's and is bigger than the 153 tooth in diameter. If the starter works at all, then you are NOT mixing the wrong starter and flexplate.
no it wasnt supported when I was trying it, but its easy enough to lower it onto some blocks so I will try that too. So, does anyone have a definite answer as to which way the chamfer should face?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- The beveled edge of the hole should face the block.
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