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Topic: Starter grinding

in Forum: C3 Engines


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Starter grinding (1/10)
 5/17/21 9:07am
Dblancha79Gold Member
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Weatogue, CT - USA

Vette(s):
1979 C3 L82 383 cu in


Joined: 6/29/2015
Posts: 80

Last summer I converted the 350 to 383 stroker with roller cam and have 10.43 to 1 compression now. I bought a high torque mini starter (power master) and shimmed it properly. When the car is cold it engages and starts properly. After about 20 minutes of driving when I go to re-start it the starter pinion grinds like crazy like its not engaging the flex plate properly.

What can cause this? Starter over heating? Something wrong with the flex plate?

If it was a compression issue I would think the pinion would engage but would just have a hard time turning without the grinding.

Any advice would be appreciated.



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"Made to be run hard"
Simsbury, Ct.

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Re: Starter grinding (2/10)
 5/17/21 2:04pm
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

Maybe the solenoid gets weak when it gets hot. Might try putting on a heat shield.



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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Starter grinding (3/10)
 5/17/21 3:25pm
Dblancha79Gold Member
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Weatogue, CT - USA

Vette(s):
1979 C3 L82 383 cu in


Joined: 6/29/2015
Posts: 80

Will try the heat shield. I just checked and I have 12.44 volts to the main windings on starter but only 7.58 volts to the solenoid when I hit the remote starter switch. This doesn't seem right. Maybe there is not enough juice to throw the pinion into the flex plate. Shouldn't this be 12 volts also?



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"Made to be run hard"
Simsbury, Ct.

Re: Starter grinding (4/10)
 5/18/21 1:31am
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

Yes.  The solenoid is basically a heavy duty switch.  Not sure where the voltage drop is coming from but if the starter is getting 12 volts then it should spin the engine. 



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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Starter grinding (5/10)
 5/18/21 6:28pm
Steevo
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San Diego, CA - USA

Vette(s):
'73 L48 Coupe, 383, M20, A/C, Electric Windows. Matterhorn White Jet-Glo w/ Dark Blue interior. Rochester, Edelbrock, Blackjack Ceramics, Borlas w/ 2.5" mandrel X over, Cooper Cobras on both OEM Steel and Aluminum Wheels.


Joined: 11/10/2013
Posts: 53

My money's on the solenoid's wire connectors not making good contact. Clean all of them up and then see what you have.

 

Steve 



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Re: Starter grinding (6/10)
 5/20/21 8:08am
ateupjoeLifetime Member
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Cleburne, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Stingray - needs a little TLC, bought for wife's 50th Birthday


Joined: 4/10/2010
Posts: 20

While I can’t help on the posted issue, I sure would like to learn more about what you’ve done to your car? That pic showing it diving into that corner looks awesome. Love to hear about your suspension and steering setup if you care to share. Thanks.

Bryan



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1978 50th BD gift to my bride

Re: Starter grinding (7/10)
 5/20/21 10:38am
Dblancha79Gold Member
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Weatogue, CT - USA

Vette(s):
1979 C3 L82 383 cu in


Joined: 6/29/2015
Posts: 80

After cleaning I have 7.58 volts to solenoid in park and 8.3 volts when I try and start it in neutral. I'll have to figure out how to test neutral safety switch on the shifter. Might be losing voltage through that some how. (I hate electrical problems as I have no skills in that area)



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"Made to be run hard"
Simsbury, Ct.

Re: Starter grinding (8/10)
 5/20/21 4:08pm
Dblancha79Gold Member
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Weatogue, CT - USA

Vette(s):
1979 C3 L82 383 cu in


Joined: 6/29/2015
Posts: 80

Thanks Bryan, I haven't raced the car just used it for time trialing events with EMRA. Original suspension set up but new shocks and Borgension power steering unit added.  All the work was in the motor. Conversion from 350 to 383 stroker and new 64 cc aluminum heads.



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"Made to be run hard"
Simsbury, Ct.

Re: Starter grinding (9/10)
 5/20/21 9:45pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

Dblancha79 said:

After cleaning I have 7.58 volts to solenoid in park and 8.3 volts when I try and start it in neutral....

Is this the voltage at the "S" terminal on the starter while cranking?(Should be the purple wire at the solenoid) You are correct in thinking it should have 12v while cranking. The larger terminal of course should have battery voltage at all times. Have you tested the voltage at the "S" terminal when it actually works, and starts up, to compare it with the voltage when it does NOT start? If there is not a full 12v(battery voltage) at the "S" terminal with the key in the "Start" position, you obviously have a bad connection somewhere in the start circuit when hot, OR you have a faulty solenoid. New doesn't mean it is good.
Your problem could be in the ignition switch, neutral safety switch, or ANY of the connections from the ign. switch down to the starter, including the pass-thru connector at the fusebox/firewall, where the main harness connections are.

You mentioned not having 12v on the starter while using a remote starter switch. Would this remote switch be connected from the positive battery cable to the "S" terminal on the starter? If so, and you have less than battery voltage there, then you have an issue with the positive battery cable from the battery to the starter....or even the ground connections.



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Re: Starter grinding (10/10)
 5/23/21 2:22pm
Dblancha79Gold Member
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Weatogue, CT - USA

Vette(s):
1979 C3 L82 383 cu in


Joined: 6/29/2015
Posts: 80

Thanks Adam, I have a new neutral safety switch and new blower /starter relay coming. I connected a new ground strap directly from the starter to the frame to insure good ground. I will let you know how it works out.



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"Made to be run hard"
Simsbury, Ct.

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