Hey everyone,
So last week my starter finally died. It wouldn't even give that horrific "click" sound everyone knows about. It would either start, or do nothing.
I replaced it a day after it started acting up, with a re-manufactured duralast starter. The starter was doin' it job, without the need to shim it.

The day after I replaced it, I jumped in my car ('74 camaro LT) and all I got was that "click" noise. Tried starting her again, same noise. Opened the hood, couldn't see anything visually wrong, so I jumped back in my car and it started.
Now it does that every other start. Click, then I'll wait.. and she'll start fine.
Another thing I've noticed is when I don't have this click issue, the starter will still make a click sound, THEN begin cranking right after.

So with the problem only happening sometimes, I'm stumped. Help?

 

Check you battery cables (both ends) to make sure they are clean and tight, epecially where the ground is attached to the engine.

 

Will do.
My first thought was maybe the gears are too tight when it comes to contact, rather than needing to shim due to being too far away.
Sound logical? I'll check the ground and battery cables in a few.
This morning leaving the gym, I had the click sound again. Took out my key, put it back in, another click, then immediately after she swung and started.
How stubborn haha

 

Checked and cleaned all the battery and ground connections. Still no luck. Any other ideas?

 

Could still be too tight of a fit with the bendix gear whacking the side of the flywheel teeth. Shimming the starter will put the gear mesh farther apart, not closer together, unless you only shim under one bolt position or the other. You might want to check your gear mesh to make sure.

 

yea thats what i'm planning on doing tomorrow, cut the shims in half, add one at a time on one side until it sounds/start correctly.. i'll post an update