Tech Tip - Starters
Starter is too Close or too Far from the ring gear.
This is due to the +/- tolerances in engine block, crank flange, flexplate/flywheel. No two engines will be the same, most of our starters are capable of making small adjustments with inner shims to accommodate for these stack up of tolerances. The Pinion gear should only engage across the ring gear 50-70% with a gear reduction starter.
When checking clearances with an enclosed bell housing (Ford, Mopar, GM) you can use marking compound on the starter pinion gear to gauge pinion to ring gear clearances.
Starter clicks when hot or cold
Typically caused by a low voltage signal from the Ignition circuit made up of the (ignition switch, neutral safety/clutch switch, remote mounted solenoid if equipped and all wiring connections). Our starters must see a minimum voltage of 11 volts during cranking, be aware this voltage can change when checking a cold engine vs. an engine up to operating temps. Resistance goes up as temperatures rise. Voltage less than 11 V could lead to premature solenoid failure and no start situations. The ignition circuit should be able to handle a 40 AMP surge, 20 AMP continuous.
How does the starter ground?
The starter finds it ground through the mounting surface of the bell housing, block plate or engine block depending on how it is mounted. This mating surface must be 100% clean. IE; no paint, powder coat, dirt, oil, rust. The starter will not ground though the mounting bolts!
Wire size
The last place to skimp is on the size or quality is on your Batter cable. Due to the amount of current a starter can draw we recommend using a min of #4G on the Positive and Negative side. When relocating a battery to rear of the vehicle make sure the Ground is ran to the front of the car along with the Positive and increase the size of cable to #1 or 1/0 for the best results.
Disconnect switches
There are many to choose from make sure the switch is rated for your vehicle demand.
Starter with no R-Terminal
You new starter does not have an R- Terminal. Use Powermaster Part# 600.
(see R-terminal explanation in FAQ)
Heat wraps vs. Shields
We do not recommend heat wraps on our starters however a custom made heat shield
Starter Pinion gear does not match existing/stock starter
Great lengths have been taken to provide the best fitment possible, this includes pinion gear size and tooth count. We have already done the hard work for you and matched the correct size/tooth count pinion gear for your starter and application.
Starter pinion to ring gear meshing clearance is too tight or too loose.
Be sure to check mesh in up to 4 positions.
All OEM and Aftermarket parts have a +/- tolerance. Due to this checking your final combinations clearances are a must, clearances must be within .020-.035. For GM users add or subtract starter shims until spec is met. If no shims are used and you are still outside of .035 the starter block must be machined to be brought into spec. For Ford and Chrysler users this will be a rare occurrence but may have to do custom machining and use offset bushings to get this spec. Again meshing clearance MUST be .020-.035 do whatever is necessary to bring this into spec.
The starter pinion stays engaged when checking shimming or when car does not start.
This is normal the action of the ring gear turning when the engine starts will throw the pinion gear back into its resting position.
Timing advance
Too much timing advance (initial timing) will cause starting trouble in certain applications. Make sure you are running some starting retard if the timing is locked out. If the engine kicks back during cranking it will cause damage to the starter drive and clutch.
Starter clocking
If the starter is one of our units that can be “clocked” choose a clocking position that allows the starter to clear any obstructions. Some starters are equipped with a vent tube this tube can face up without any issues.
Using a remote solenoid
In most cases you can run a jumper wire on our starter solenoid connecting the battery terminal to the switch terminal with 10ga wire. If running a Permanent magnet starter please see included optional wiring diagram. A jumper wire on a Permanent magnet starter will damage the drive.