FAQs
Why does the starter pinion hit the flex plate sometimes when the engine is running?
The starter has insufficient pinion to ring gear clearance, the flex plate may be bent or the crankshaft has excessive end float. See Tech sheets 003, 004 and 006.
Why has the starter pinion “come off” my Chevy pad mount starter?
The flex plate has clipped the pinion circlip cover, broken it and the circlip has eventually come off allowing the pinion to as well. This is caused by insufficient pinion backlash and/or excessive flex plate run out. See Tech sheets 003, 004 and 006.
I've test fitted the starter, it has the correct backlash measurement but the pinion doesn't retract by itself unless I manually push it back?
This is normal, it will retract when the engine starts. The reason it doesn't by itself is due to the resistance of the gears in the gearbox of the starter. Try turning the engine slightly by hand and it will retract.
My new Roadrunner Starter on my Chevy has a 10t pinion and my old Delco starter has a 9t, is this a problem?
No, not at all. All Roadrunner pad mount GM starters are now supplied with either a 10t or an 11t pinion. The larger diameter pinion facilitates better meshing and faster cranking rpms.
Why won't my Ford manual transmission starter fit in the “sandwich plate”?
Ford Cleveland and Windsor manual transmission starters can have different register/spigot diameters and different pinion depths. See Tech sheet 005.
Should I use a heat shield?
It isn't necessary to wrap a heat shield around a Roadrunner Starter as the electrical components are very well insulated against excessive heat from the engine. But if the cabling is close to the exhaust it isn't a bad idea to use some heat resistant sleeving on this.
The starter sometimes “goes click” but doesn't wind the engine over, especially when the engine is hot?
Usually, a condition known as “voltage drop” is the culprit here. There must always be at least 9.5volts at the starter while it's cranking. See Tech sheet 002.
Do I still need to connect to my ballast/cold start or “R” terminal wire?
Not if you have upgraded to an HEI, MSD or similar aftermarket ignition system. See Tech sheet 002.
I've changed my Chevy ring gear and now the starter won't mesh properly. Why is this?
As there is quite a variation in ring gear size (OD) you'll need to adjust the pinion backlash measurement with shims. See Tech sheet 003.
I've swapped my Chevy starter to another engine and now the pinion doesn't mesh properly?
Unfortunately, you can put one Chevy pad mount starter on ten different engines and have to shim them all differently. Engine block deck heights and ring gear diameters vary considerably. See Tech sheet 003.
I've replaced my Ford ring gear and now my starter pinion doesn't mesh. Why is this?
This is a problem caused by some aftermarket ring gears that are too big in diameter. Unfortunately, there is no easy shimming fix here with index mount starters as there is with pad mount starters.
Either return the ring gear and purchase one that has the same diameter as the original one or purchase an offset RS1106A from us.
I've fitted an aftermarket manual transmission and/or bellhousing and flywheel or installed a 'stroker' crank to my Ford and now the starter pinion is too far away from the ring gear. Why is this?
Some combinations of aftermarket components seem to vary the starter pinion depth requirement.
If you give us the required measurement we can supply a starter to solve the problem. See Tech sheet 005.
I've bought a bellhousing and flywheel for my small block Ford but the starter misses the ring gear completely when I bolt everything together. Why is this?
You've a large bellhousing suitable for a 164t flywheel and using a 157t small flywheel instead.
Either purchase a 164t flywheel or an RS807B starter from us. See Tech sheet 005.
What are the holes and the rubber grommets in the starter for?
Essentially the holes are drains and the grommets are vents. As most Roadrunner Starters have rotatable mounting plates the positioning of these holes and vents may no longer be suitable for the application that the starter is fitted in. If the drains are not at the lowest point of the starter, and the vents are no longer at the upper level of the starter we recommend removing the vent grommets and plugging the holes with silicone RTV or similar, as well as plugging the drain holes if there is a chance that moisture or other contaminants could enter. This is especially true of marine or off-road applications.
Download Tech Sheets
Tech Sheet 001 - Starter removal and installation instructions
Tech Sheet 002 - Alternative wiring options and requirements
Tech Sheet 003 - GM Pad Mount Starter Installation
Tech Sheet 004 - Adjustment of pinion projection and ring gear clearance
Tech Sheet 005 - Ford Windsor, Cleveland, Big Block, FE, Y-block and MEL starters
Tech Sheet 006 - GM Ring Gears