Bought an IMI Hi Torque starter for my '67. Originally a 326, but I put a '69 400 ci, but am using the 326 ring gear/flex plate. Installed it yesterday and it makes a screeching noise when I start it, which I initially thought was just the mating call of my Bird, but in reality is more likely my flex plate being annihilated. The tolerance between the starter pinion and ring gear was adjusted to spec at ~0.100" but I was having trouble adjusting the ring gear backlash. The instructions say to pull the starter pinion out with a screwdriver and check the backlash, but the starter pinion kept hitting the ring gear directly and wouldn't fully mesh. I added shims and the pinion would mesh, but not fully retract. So more shims. Finally it would not bind up. I pulled to coil and cranked and it seemed fine. Then after hooking the coil back up the first start a yielded a real nice squawk. Can't be good. I dropped the starter again (I probably had it on and off like 4-5 times) and added another shim. Still squawking. I feel like adding a whole pack of shims is a bit excessive right? I ended up just calling it a day and putting her back into hibernation. I'll probably call IMI again. I had an extra wire and they explained since I switched to electronic ignition the other wire was obsolete. Really helpful, but I was curious if you had any personal experience. Also found this, which couldn't be any more specific to my application, but who knows. http://www.highperformancepontiac.com/tech/hppp_0912_hi_torque_mini_starter/viewall.html
So I guess my questions are: 1. Have you had any similar experiences? 2. How many shims are too many? I'm proably at about 0.25"
So a call to IMI figured everything out. I didn't realize the the starter pinion wouldn't retract until I spun the flywheel so I was assuming it was binding and therefore added more shims. Now to remove all the shims and get back underneath the car and do it again, potentially correctly.
1) A bent regular paperclip is a really good feeler guage for these. 2) I installed this exact starter motor with either 1 or 2 thin shims. It has worked perfectly ever since.
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
So when I first pulled the pinion gear out of the starter it just hit the back of the ring gear and didn't mesh. I should just rotate the ring gear a slight bit to get it to mesh and measure the tolerance between the ring gears valley and the peak of the pinion gear? The illustration in the instructions made it look like you were supposed to measure from a side tolerance which seemed weird. Everything else online shows the peak valley deal. Thanks again. Hopefully I get home in time to give this a whirl. I think I'm going through some sort of withdrawl from having rust falling in my eyes.
Removed the shims and did the paper clip trick. Starts up perfect now. Took it for a spin and she got nice and hot. Went back out and she started right up. I was thinking I should call it quits and end my day on a good note, but i went for broke and adjusted my accelerator pump and fixed a stumble off idle. Tomorrow timing and more carb tuning.
Glad it worked out. I am sure you will be as happy with your starter as I am.
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI