Starter gets stuck

[bobbond117]

Have a 1976 Chevy C10, v8, 350 with a new starter that gets stuck in the flywheel and will not start the engine. Have added shims but still will get stuck in the flywheel. Can I get some advice?

 

[Ricko1966]

Dies it just stay stuck or sticks and keeps spinning the engine?

 

[nvrenuf]

It sounds harsh but the reality is it’s not shined correctly (if it needs it at all).

 

[Ricko1966]

It sounds harsh but the reality is it’s not shined correctly (if it needs it at all).

Not necessarily. Let's wait until he answers the question I asked him.

 

[bobbond117]

Dies it just stay stuck or sticks and keeps spinning the engine?

It does not spin the engine at all. The pinion gear gets stuck in the flywheel. The engine is not frozen because I was driving it until I stopped it to replace the starter.

 

[Ricko1966]

Why were you changing the starter? I've seen people change starters because the engine was locked up. Have you tried turning the engine over by hand?

 

[CountKrunk]

What starter did you get? I need one. Or maybe rebuild it? If thats an option

 

[DoubleDingo]

Why were you changing the starter? I've seen people change starters because the engine was locked up. Have you tried turning the engine over by hand?

He was driving it, I suspect it turns by hand. I wonder if was a mis-boxed starter?

 

[Ricko1966]

He was driving it, I suspect it turns by hand. I wonder if was a mis-boxed starter?

I've seen and heard this before. I was driving it,it died,it needs a jump start. Nope it needs an engine. I was driving it yesterday,today it wouldn't start I put a new starter on,they must of sold me the wrong starter because it still won't turn over.1st one was a Huyndai Excel. The other was a 454 Chevy. Owners thought they knew what was wrong. Not saying it's locked up,but I'd check.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I've seen and heard this before. I was driving it,it died,it needs a jump start. Nope it needs an engine. I was driving it yesterday,today it wouldn't start I put a new starter on,they must of sold me the wrong starter because it still won't turn over.1st one was a Huyndai Excel. The other was a 454 Chevy. Owners thought they knew what was wrong. Not saying it's locked up,but I'd check.

You being in the business I don't doubt what you've seen on various vehicles. Some things happen that no explanation can clearly describe why an engine would do that. Hopefully they let us know more details

 

[Sad Sack]

Have a 1976 Chevy C10, v8, 350 with a new starter that gets stuck in the flywheel and will not start the engine. Have added shims but still will get stuck in the flywheel. Can I get some advice?

No mention of a flywheel inspection. Pull the torque convertor cover off and using a flywheel tool look for sections on the flywheel that are "mooned out" and it will also let you know if it's locked up, try avoiding the crank bolt to turn the engine over and is the torque strap still attached?

 

[bobbond117]

Why were you changing the starter? I've seen people change starters because the engine was locked up. Have you tried turning the engine over by hand?

I changed the starter because when tested the solenoid was bad. That's a good idea. I'll try turning the engine by hand and see what it does. Let you know the outcome.

 

[bobbond117]

Update: I counted the teeth on the flywheel. 168, so it has the right flywheel, and it looks good. There are no broken teeth or distorted sections. I checked with Autozone, who sold me the cheaper refurbished starter and the starter is good. I turned the engine as I was checking the flywheel and the engine is not frozen or stuck. When I tried the starter again it could hear it spinning but it would not turn the engine. When I looked again, the pinon was stuck and I had to pry it loose with screwdriver and it quickly snapped back in place. Do I need a heavy duty starter for that truck or is there something else I'm not seeing?

 

[DoubleDingo]

I wouldn't cheap out on parts, get a step or more above bottom dollar price. They'll always offer the worse part, ask for better for a few dollars more

 

[bobbond117]

Dies it just stay stuck or sticks and keeps spinning the engine?

It just gets stuck and it does not turn the engine.