I have a powermaster starter in my 69z28. When i put it in i shimmed it and it power master had me put a shim on the outside bolt only to get it to shim correctly. Now every 15-20 starts it will grind. then it will be fine. Any ideas? I was able to get a paper clip between t he flywheel and starter.

Is this a mini starter or does this unit have the cone/snout.

Jeff G.

Its a mini starter. Powermaster said to check the shimming or it may be an issue with the gear redcution.

Hi Dave,

I just went through this with 2 new PowerStarters and did not work for me.
I've had no luck with mini starters at all. I have a 7.4 454 11:0 compression,
Headman aluminum coated headers, I used a Factory Stock starter with Heat Wrap
and the starter works perfectly. I've done the same for a radical 350 also...

Jeff G.
68 4-Speed Vert
69 RS/SS 396 Vert
69 RS/SS 454 Coupe

Yeah i just oredered a remanufactured starter from a reputable rebuilder. Its a later model gm starter and he said its smaller and works better. I have the heat wrap hanging around so i will wrap it and hope for the best. my last starter was a stock chevy from the early 60's and worked fine without shimming but did need heat wrap. Hopefully it will work goodd.

Dave is the battery fully charged.

X2 on the battery
I just had grinding issue on my 69 vette and recharged battery but still had starter grinding noise.
took battery to autozone and load tested it and it had a bad cell.
new battery and no grinding

Yes the battery is fully charged. I am going to try swapping the starter just to get back to reliability. Hopefully that solves it. Power master said it may need to be reshimmed or i may need to have them replace part of the gear reduction.