My starter makes this terrible sound when the engine starts. A guy at a service station told me that I needed to install a starter shim. Ok, I imagine that the starter is not dis-engaging from the flexplate or something of that nature. Does that sound right?
1. Where do I find starter shims?
2. Are there different sizes or is it a 1 size fits all deal?
3. How do you apply them? Do they mount in-between the starter and block?

Joe,

How long has this been happening? Did it just start or has it been going on for a long time?

That could be your problem. You could also have a bad tooth on the flywheel causing the starter to make a noise when trying to engage. You should have an inspection cover for your bellhousing regardless of trans installed. Pull it back, rotate the engine by hand (disconnect the negative battery cable first) and check the condition of the flywheel.

If the flywheel appears to be in good shape, then try the shim routine. You can find starter shims for a GM at any decent auto parts store.

The shims come in various thicknesses. They are installed between the starter and the mounting boss on the engine block. Start small and add until you have your issue corrected.

Hope this helps.

Tom

You get the shims at just about any auto parts store. Yes, they go between the block and starter. You get a bunch in the kit and you use how many it takes. One way to get it set up right is to check the starter gear mesh with the flexplate. When you get it just right you should be able to just fit a 1/8" drill between the top of the tooth and the bottom of the notch when engaged. A trick to get the solenoid to engage the gear without the starter turning the engine over is to not hook up the wires to the starter and use a wire on the S labeled terminal on the starter. You can power that wire and the gear will kick out and then you can check with the drill for clearance.
Jim

Tom it has always made this noise, I just recently found out why it did. I will check the flexplate regardless just to make sure that it hasnt chewed it up.
Thanks for the instructions guys and I look forward to playing with my starter/headers

The gear on the starter should fail first. I shredded the gear on a high-torque starter when it was reinstalled without the shims.

To put the shims in you only need to remove one bolt from the starter and loosen the other. I also had installed a starter without shims and it whined but I was able to loosen the bolts and tap it with a rubber hammer and re-tighten the bolts and it aligned without using shims. Don't forget to disconnect the battery when working on the starter. Pete

I had read (here somewhere?) that the 1/8" clearance is between the flywheel tooth and the shaft that the starter gear runs on. That's how I checked mine. I used a 1/8" welding filler wire bent over at one end so I could reach up there.

A paper clip provides about the right clearance.