bocco

Hi all,

2000 Expy 5.4. I'm getting the occasional starter grinding on start up more and more lately. I tried a new starter a while back and just like all of the forums said, it didn't help. The teeth on the flywheel look good as far as I can see.

I've been scouring all of the forums and it seems that nobody has solved this problem for sure.

Has anybody tried throwing one of those PowerMaster high torque starters at the problem? The billet aluminum high torque model is pricey at $295 but I would pay it if I knew it would work.

I welcome any opinions or input.

Thanks

Gary

jstockert

The only reason the gears are grinding is the starter is not aligned properly. No other reason. If you have good teeth on the flywheel and good gears on the starter you should only hear the starter motor.

4x4wolf

Had this problem for years, change the starter solenoid on the firewall

bocco

I agree with this point but there is no way to adjust the alignment that I can see.

bocco

I don't think I have a solenoid on the firewall. It's mounted on the starter.

jstockert

Ever heard of starter shims. After I replaced my engine I put a new starter on and had to shim it due to misalignment.

bocco

Yes I have heard of starter shims. But do to the mounting method shimming the starter would only reduce the depth that the solenoid can push the pinion gear into the flywheel. And it seems like I would want to do the opposite but that would require machining the starter housing.

Or it looks like what I need is to be able to move the whole starter away from the fly wheel. In other words, increase the center to center distance between the starter shaft and the crankshaft. Which I don't think you can do with this mounting style.

Jeff in Ferndale Wa

you said "The teeth on the flywheel look good as far as I can see"

Does that mean you looked at all of them all the way around?
Could be bad in a couple spots and only have the problem when the flywheel happens to land on the bad spot.

4x4wolf

there's one on firewall and on starter. I have the 5.4 too, and it took me forever to find this and it's been three years since and no more issues.

Jbrew

I know where your coming from bocco. There's two solenoids, = 1 on the starter and 1 on the firewall. For some ignorantly ridiculous reason, parts houses call the one on the firewall a solenoid for short now. It's actually the starter relay (solenoid) on the firewall. This use to be called the just that , a "starter relay" in the past. Back when it was easy to order the right part without the parts houses giving you the wrong one. Someone went all stupid on us and screwed up a good thing I guess. The starter relay is labled a starter solenoid now....stupid sh it.