I just fired up my new 383 (12.3:1), and took it out on its first drive, and when I shut it off and tried to restart it, there was a really loud noise from the starter area and it wouldn't turn over. I tried again, and heard the starter bendix spin, apparently not engaging the flywheel at all. I took the starter off and expected to see it broken, but it wasn't. Its stock BTW, with aproximately 67k miles; the solenoid is newer than that. I tested it with a jump box, and while the bendix did move like it was supposed to, the starter made a lot more noise than I would have expected; the bushing at the rear seems like its worn quite a bit. I had heard about some starter breakage issues, and the reccomendation to go with the Vette/LT4 style starter, but this is a different problem. The local rebuilder (whom I have used before, and is very good) can rebuild it for $20 plus parts, very reasonable, but what I'm wondering is has anyone had a problem like this, and is it the starter? Its never given me a problem before, or made any unsual noises.

 

yeah, its the starter, if you have it rebuilt, make sure he replaces the bendix

 

I see this issue about everyday at work (i rebuild starters) For some reason that i cant seem to figure out we have had a lot of people come in with bad flywheels so inspect it if there is a bad spot on it the starter will make a really nasty sounding grind. And check the drive and see if it is wore down....And whatever you do dont buy one from the ZONE there mickey mouse china made BS.

 

I just put the flywheel back on, and it was perfect; there was never any noise at all until the problem today. The starter is being rebuilt tomorrow morning by an independent starter/alternator rebuild shop that I have used several times over the years, and they use the best parts and know what they are doing, not to mention it will be lots cheaper than AutoZone or anywhere else.

 

I've had a starter engagement problem on my 383 with a SPEC alum flywheel. Had to shim it alot. There are some tight engagement spots on the ring.

 

My flywheel is stock, and has never had an issue, and its the same starter the car came with (never been milled flat by a rebuilder) so no shimming should be required. I should have the starter back late today, so we'll see.

 

Ok, I just got the starter back from the rebuilder...a whopping $46.50!

He said the bendix wasn't the issue, though. There are a series of planetary gears in the starter, and they are made of plastic, and if the engine kicks back at all, they will break. Mine were stripped pretty bad, though with a near 70k mile starter, its hard to say if that all happened at once. It was cheap to fix, but if it happens again I will be purchasing either the so-called "LT4" starter (everyone I have checked so far lists the starter as being for ALL 92-96 Corvettes, either LT1 or LT4), or an aftermarket mini starter.the rebuilder said the Nippondenso-style LT4 starter doesn't have this issue, and I wouldn't think the aftermarket ministarters would either. I just hope this one will work ok until I change out my headers to longubes; between the Random Technology/AS&M headers and y-pipe, and the Canton oil pan, its nearly impossible to get the starter out without taking half the exhaust apart. I spent an hour AFTER unbolting the starter just trying to get it out of the engine compartment!

 

I got the starter on this morning, and it works fine.

 

It broke again!!! Did the exact same thing as last time. Ok, time for an LT4 style or an aftermarket ministarter...