Question about my starter

[Mike C]

Do you have a manual trans or auto? If manual, is it the bellhousing mount starter? If so you cannot shim it. If it is a block mount starter, you need to check engagement of the bendix with the flywheel. If it is incorrect, you need to shim it. Pull the bendix into engagement with the flywheel using a screwdriver or something similar. Check clearance using an unfolded paper clip. The wire of the clip should just fit between the peak of a bendix tooth and the vallely of the flywheel tooth. If it is loose, the starter needs to move closer to the flywheel, and if it won't fit, the starter needs to move away. You can shim just the outside bolt to move it closer, and shim them both to move it further away. If it needs to move a lot closer you may have to have material machinded off of the starter nose mounting pad. Get 3 shims and have that much material removed. That way you have the option of keeping it where it is at or moving it in two more shims worth. Just because GM didn't shim the starters originally doesn't mean you won't need one now. Too many cheapy rebuilt starters and things over time.