Dreaded Starter Grind

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Moosehead
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Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 9:13 pm
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Dreaded Starter Grind

Post by Moosehead »

A starter grind has shown up lately which does not allow ignition. New starter, alternator, battery in a Jasper rebuilt engine.

It has only happened twice and does not allow ignition. I stop trying after first or second attempt so as not do damage the flywheel ringdrive teeth. First incident went and recharged the battery which showed 75% charge before top off - started fine for a few days. Second time, she started second effort after grind showed up first attempt. Will analog clock (working) draw down the battery over time in these systems?

Have seen many other threads on the issue including perhaps need for new starter, better battery/charge, shims on the starter, other.

Any tips would be much appreciated.
‘78 Wagoneer
401 with street cam, heads, headers, Holley Sniper EFI, rear discs, Alcan springs, Trucklite LED headlights
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fulsizjeep
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Re: Dreaded Starter Grind

Post by fulsizjeep »

There may be a spot on the flexplate ring gear that is chewed enough that the starter has trouble engaging there. It was a source of cursing for me once.
Flint Boardman
88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s
https://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac
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Tatsadasayago
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Re: Dreaded Starter Grind

Post by Tatsadasayago »

A new flexplate is not all that expensive. If you have a manual gearbox, you can still get a new ring gear and install it on the flywheel with some heat.
Often both styles will develop a warp/out-of-round and the starter drive gear will chew up an area where then engine stops.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation

donniesoup
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Re: Dreaded Starter Grind

Post by donniesoup »

Does your starter need shimming?

ShagWagon
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Re: Dreaded Starter Grind

Post by ShagWagon »

Tighten the starter bolts? Did you check?
87 Grand Wagoneer Rebuilt 360 by S&J, Fitech GO EFI 600, Novak in-tank fuel pump, Skyjacker Hydro 4" lift, BFG AT KO2 30", Dynamax Muffler, MSD distributor, MSD ignition, Edlebrock perf 4bbl intake, Elgin perf cam, Oil tube mod, Roller rockers, chrome molly lifters, HD alum radiator, Powermaster 150/100 alt, Alum HD water pump, Serhills tailgate harness, Cowl screen mod, Evil Twin grab handles, Rstep's custom AMC door lock knobs, all electrical works.
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Moosehead
Posts: 41
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 9:13 pm
Location: Mountain West

Re: Dreaded Starter Grind

Post by Moosehead »

Thanks fellas, replaced a cheaper reman starter. So far, so good, though voice in my head says that's been done before here to no avail.

Did check shim/bolts/elect.
‘78 Wagoneer
401 with street cam, heads, headers, Holley Sniper EFI, rear discs, Alcan springs, Trucklite LED headlights
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fulsizjeep
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Re: Dreaded Starter Grind

Post by fulsizjeep »

I've been doing it all wrong...

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Flint Boardman
88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s
https://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac
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