Ive been trying to find a starter for my 79 camaro for months now. Ive gone through 3 different ones already and none seem to work. They always grind against the flexplate. I have tried shimming up to .120 and it still grinds. Could the flexplate be too big? is that possible? Please help

 

i would'nt think the flex plat is "too big" but it does sound as if it may be a different tooth count then the replacement starters you are getting.
Dave

 

Only two flexplates, a 168 and a 153. If you didn't change the fleplate, then it can't be wrong if the old starter worked. Do you still have the old starter, or did it get traded in? I'd remove the solenoid and pull the plunger out to check clearance of the starter to the flexplate teeth with it bolted on. Then you can gewt a perfect look of clearance and know what shim is needed.

 

I was having the same issues with my El camino every weekend was replacing starter or flex plate come to find out that my block where the started bolted up to had a hair line crack so every time we start the car it would grind and finally mess my flex plate. Check your block just to b sure i finally learned the hard way after 5-6 starters and a few flex plates.