'72 Cutlass 350. I installed Hedman shorties and had to get a mini starter (Powermaster 9000-10). The gear doesn't disengage from the flywheel and bogs down the engine, with or without shims. I replaced the starter and the new one does the same.
Any idea what the problem could be?

 

Did you follow the instructions pertaining to gear mesh and how to adjust starter drive clearance? There is also a note that the starter drive may stick in the flexplate if your just mechanically cranking the engine and it does not fire.

 

As far as I can tell the adjustment is made with the shims, I pretty much covered that. . I did read something about having to grind down the mounting plate, I sure hope that's not necessary.

 

I have the Powermaster XS Torque Starters 9510. Fits and works perfit. I think you may have the wrong starter. Listing for the Powermaster 9000-10 fitting Olds maybe incorrect.
​​​​​​​

 

That's possible. The specs says it fits, but the one you have comes up in the vehicle search. My mechanic buddy ordered it, not sure if he came up with that starter or if
summit did. This one doesn't have the round shim to adjust outward travel which may be the problem. I have a better idea of what to look for after watching a few videos.
thanks

 

Here's the header of my Powermaster instructions. It also calls out the 9510 for an Olds engine.

 

Summit will take it back. Order the Powermaster XS Torque Starters 9510. My block is 1972 350 also. I had to install one shim. Also put a little Thread lock on the two bolts for clocking. Mine came loose after a year or two. 9000-10 comes up for not fitting Oldsmobile on Amazon.

 

Look again. 9510, 9000-10, and 9004-10 are all for the 166 tooth Olds/Pontiac application. Given that Powermaster shows a 9000 for Chevy and a 9000-10 for Olds/Pontiac, my money is on a mislabeled starter in the wrong box.I'm guessing that the pinions are different.

 

this is my 2nd 9000-10. I can get a paper clip between the teeth with no shims, seems a little tight.
I'll call Powermaster tomorrow and see what they say.
Thanks!

 

Powermaster says there has to be 11 volts min at the ignition wire, I have 11.9.
Could it be a bad ignition switch?

 

11.9 > 11.

 

I was actually ruling that out. They said it was the only possible reason for the gear to not retract after the engine starts.