Starter Grinding

[johnwaynejeep]

I went to start my jeep after I reinstalled my starter and I heard this god awful grinding noise. I replaced the starter solenoid and cleaned all the connections and bought a new battery just for kicks. Then I looked and the starter gears and the flywheel and everything checked out fine. After that it started fine...once. After one time starting it then the starter was making that grinding noise again. I know if I get a huge battery it will start but it never took this much juice to start the thing before. Could I have a problem with my starter, maybe the gear in the starter is not kicking out all the way or something?

thanks

[ March 07, 2002: Message edited by: johnwaynejeep ]</p>

[kyjman]

First off what motor are you running? Secondally a few things to check for would be the nose cone bearing/bushing for wear(just because its rebuilt don't mean they replaced that part) I went through about 8 starters before I got a good one. Next, don't try to hole the starter too close to the flywheel when you install it. Just let the bolts line it up. And lastly, make sure you are using the original bolts for the starter. Starter bolts have " shoulders" that are a little larger diameter than the threads and align the starter best. I know because the bolts got me on my turck.
Good luck

[johnwaynejeep]

KYJMAN mentioned that I should use the original starter bolts because of a "shoulder" in the bolt that helps align the starter. NEW PROBLEM, I striped the original starter bolt so I drilled out the whole in the bell housing where the lower starter bolt mounted to and used a smaller diameter nut and bolt. Is there a way I can help align that starter better using this nut and bolt or should I say to hell with it and buy a new bell housing?

[JB]

I would not worry with the new bell houseing as this is common for them to strip.. the smaller nut and bolt is a good cure.. KY had a good point , I literally went through 4 new remanufactured starters from autozone for about $35 before I broke down and purchased one from Napa for about $65 , this cured my delima.. And I wouldnt have belived it if I did not experience it

[johnwaynejeep]

well...brand new starter it is. thanks for the help guys.

[kyjman]

Hi again Johnwaynejeep

You can only buy a new bellhousing from the dealer and its about #600.00 the last time I priced one. I think a good quality new starter and a little larger bolt where the bellhousing hole is striped will get you going again. I think the bolts on my 258 are about 3/8" in diameter. I drilled out the hole in the bellhousing and used the same size bolt. I just mounted the upper bolt fisrt then pushed the bolt through the drilled out hole, and when it makes contact with the nut it starts on the threads. Its a little tricky to get it started but it will work that way, By using the smaller diameter bolt the starter is moving away from the flywheel and making the grinding noise. Good luck

[64Trvlr]

You can also Helicoil the stripped threads. Then you can use the correct bolts.
:cool: