NBS starter on an '89 5.7

[dave22]

Right, I'm not new to forums but I'm new to this one so if this is asking something that's already been covered I apologize.

I've got an '89 RCSB with the L05 and the big old direct drive starter has moved on to greener pastures. In my research I found this thread here:

http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthread.php?2476-Starter-interchange

So I went out and got a gear reduction starter for a 2005 4.3 truck. It bolted in no problem with the original bolts but I can't get it to engage. I can't find a shim kit for the little guy so I tried various combinations of washers with no really happy result. Just different bad toothy sounds. So what am I missing? Special shims? Newer bolts? Common sense?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[DRAGGIN95]

Hmm that's strange, I have swapped several NBS 4.3 starters on to the 88-98 body style with a v-8 with no issues, 2 questions, did the old starter make any strange noises before it quit and how do the teeth on the Flexplate/flywheel look?

 

[dave22]

Teeth look fine. It didn't make any strange noises. Just worked intermittently, then quit altogether. The noises I'm hearing now definitely sound like the teeth aren't fully engaging.

Do you reuse the bolts or get the shorter ones for the smaller starter?

 

[DRAGGIN95]

I use the 95+factory gear reduction starter bolts.

 

[dave22]

Gotcha. I'll Give that a shot. Thanks!