Mini-starter goes "ping!", What the hell. Options

[LowGT]

So I swapped to a 2.0 and a new mini-starter and everything has been starting fine for the last two weeks. I went to tune the carbs last night and it started fine. After the car warmed up I shut it off to remove the carb linkage. (I think it's easier to adjust this way) When I tried to start it, all I got was a loud "ping".

I checked the battery and it was a bit low. I charged it all night and no difference, so I bought a new battery. Still only got the ping. So I check and clean all grounds, checked the voltage regulator wiring. Everything is in tip-top shape. Tried it start, PING! All the gauge lights dim like maybe the starter will turn, but it never does. I tried turning the engine by hand and it turns fine. It sounds like the starter gear is just coming out and hitting the flywheel, and never turning.


Any ideas?

[GWN7]

On older chevy's it was common to have to "shim" the starter. A washer (cutoff) was put under the back bolt to move the nose up into closer contact to the ring gear.

With the ebay unit it shouldn't be nessary. It sounds like you have other clearence issues. Did you change the ring gear on this engine?

You can try coating the bendix with grease and see where it ends up on the ring gear to see what clearence problems you have. Coat it, install and try to crank. Pull starter out and look for any grease transfer.