I have a 71 Olds Toronado. Just got back from the mechanics and found out my fly wheel is eaten up pretty bad.It was put on new with less than 200 miles on it. I probably have started it up at least 100 times.The starter that I had on it before would grind and sometime not catch when I tried to start it, so I purchased a mini starter and It never seemed to sound right either so thats the reason I took it to the mechanics is to check the condition of it.I dont know which starter damaged the fly wheel.The motor has just been rebuilt.I purchased all my parts from Mondellos and the flywheel is part number OL-1220-FP-L I paid 179$ for it.I want to make sure I am getting the correct one.I have the original one that came on the motor in 1971.Should I just reuse it or get one from another place? Any recommendations.I have had the hardest time trying to find a mini starter for it . I might just go back to the stock original starter.I have put so many performance parts on it I just wanted the best starter I could get beside stock.

 

I'm assuming you mean flex plate. If there is nothing wrong with the teeth on the old one I would just reuse it. Starter gear alignment is critical to the longevity of the ring gears health. The mini starter has explicit directions on setting the gear mesh, the same principle applies to a stock starter.

 

Sorry I meant Flex plate.What would the benefit be in going with a more expensive or better quality Plate vs Stock.I guess my mind set is if its a better quality I would rather get that one.I dont race the car but I do want the strongest parts avaliable .Thanks you for your response .

 

Like I said if the teeth on your stock one are in good shape, it will be stronger than most auto parts store replacements.

 

X2 Oldcutlass, the GM flex plate is a very good unit. Did you not get shims with the Mini? My mini starter I put on the 400E, I had to shim it very little to get the correct clearance and I used a feeler gauge to set proper clearance. Look up the site who made the starter or google min starter install's, google can be your best friend.

 

I use a regular sized paperclip to set mine up and no shims required.

 

[QUOTE=therobski;706097]X2 Oldcutlass, the GM flex plate is a very good unit. Did you not get shims with the Mini? , QUOTE]

Yes I did get shims but the mechanic said it was shimed OK without them.Im thinking it is possible the first starter did the damage,because it would hit and miss when engaging.Thats why I purchased the mini starter. I just liked the weight difference between the mini and Stock.Got to be 15 pounds differents.

 

I agree on the your account of the problem, the first starter wore the teeth down to the point where the second start just finished them off. Either way you need to install a different flexplate and to prevent this from happening again, make sure the clearances are correct.


I like my mini starter, it's very easy to work on and agree the weight difference is a perk.