I am about to replace a starter on my GTA. I just got a shiny new Hitachi delivered today (PSL100 from Street Side Auto). Gonna post an aftermarket review on it after a while. Very pleased with the looks of it so far and the company's service. Got it for $108 shipper and it's "assembled" in the USA from US and foreign parts. A real Hitachi and came with ARP hardware!

My question is, can I measure the backlash and properly shim this by removing the inspection plate? It's a T-5 manual tranny and it's all installed in the car. I'd really hate to have to pull the bellhousing to do this but if I must I must. The answer to this question will determine what day and where I will do this. If I need to pull the tranny, I'm going to take it to work and put it on the rack for sure and I'll have to wait till I can get it for a whole day on the weekend.

 

Bump.

I can't be the first one who's tried to properly shim a starter, can I?

 

Well, no answer, but I got it on.

You CANNOT shim it with the inspection plate off. Couldn't see it or do a proper measure. Went by sound. It engaged and released perfectly so I called that good enough. The factory installed zero shims, so neither did I on my Hitachi starter, and all is well. I think it's fine but will have the chance to prove that soon when I install rebuilt gearbox and clutch/flywheel in a few months. At least my car starts now every time!

Hope this helps the next guy some.

 

I just read your post. I don't understand why this type of starter would be that much different from GM? So even looking from the back side of the fly wheel are you saying there's no room to measure starter gear to fly wheel clearence?

Joel