Inspection Plate In Between Block and Trans

[HondaEater]

I was rushing to get my new clutch in and forgot to put the inspection plate in. The Starte. is grinding everytime I start the truck. Does that plate act as a shim or guidance for alignment of the starter? I haven't had a chance to look at the flywheel yet, but im not sure if I should try to shim the starter with washers or if it will even help at all..

 

[Psychopete]

Sorry about your luck..... Inspection plate is what locates the starter.

 

[HondaEater]

Shiming it wont help? Is it in too deep or out too far, or is it not lined up side to side

 

[Psychopete]

Try what you want to, do what you think will work, but bottom line is that they didn't put it there because they felt like it. Will have to let us know what you end up doing. Part of the learning experience. I've done worse, I am sure.

 

[HondaEater]

So ill probably end up having to take the trans back out?

 

[Psychopete]

I'd probably suck it up and do it. I tried to replace a rear main in a front wheel drive car on a bad crank and had to do it over again... Wasn't easy, but doesn't leak and now I am happy because I have a car that doesn't leave oil slicks everywhere I go lol. Shit happens.

 

[HondaEater]

Theoretically I don't see how the plate lines up the starter being as the bolts will only go in one way. Ill try spacing it with washers first and post back

 

[HondaEater]

i shimmed it and it got a little better, the starter is still grinding though

 

[Mac]

Yep the bolts go in only way and just hold the starter in place. It's the hole in the block plate that help locate it. You can shim it, use washers but it the bolts shift, back to the grinding. You are surely not in the first 50 that have forgotten to use the block plate. Like Pete said "Suck it up and do it Right".
Dave of the Nord

 

[adsm08]

Despite my frequent rants about the piss poor arrangement of parts on cars I have seldom found an actual unnecessary part.

You need the block plate for more than just locating the starter. I also shields the lower portion of the flywheel from damage from road debris.

Drop the d-shafts, pull out the shifter and the bell bolts, slide the trans back an inch or so, and slip the sucker up in there. It's not that terrible really.

 

[HondaEater]

now im more worried about the fact that the flywheel and starter gear are a bit worn...at this point i might have to pull the trans all the way and replace both the flywheel and the starter.

 

[swamprat]

the plate should have a gap to get it around the crank. Do what adsm said. just remove the bolts from the trany and slide it back an inch or so. If you plate does not have a gap cut one.

 

[adsm08]

the plate should have a gap to get it around the crank. Do what adsm said. just remove the bolts from the trany and slide it back an inch or so. If you plate does not have a gap cut one.

Oh the 2.9 plates have a gap. I have personally had mine fall off several times while in the process of putting the trans back up.

 

[djk]

ya luckily for me when i did my tranny swap, that plate was secure somehow towards the top(probably by gunk buildup or something). so i was lucky because i could see myself forgetting that too, good luck though, how long have you been using it without it? Because if it's only been a small amount of time i couldn't imagine too much damage being done. my dads car had his starter grinding on the flywheel for a decently long time because of alignment but when it was checked the damage wasn't even seen. but that's also a whole different vehicle so idk

 

[HondaEater]

II haven't been driving it because I need to do the front brakes. My buddy is telling me I don't need it, that he's always taken the plates out and never had a starter alignment issue. Im wondering if the starter is bad because the starter gear looks as if its throwing out way too far. Should I try another starter or will it **** that starter up too