Engine swap issues

ABRATTON623

MEMBER
1998 CHEVROLET 1500
5.7L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
134,000 MILES

I pulled a 5.7l from a 1997 k1500 that ran great and put it in my 1998 k1500. Everything lines up, but the issue I have is the starter is not engaging the flywheel and just clicks. It has a new battery and new starter in it. And the engine is now seized. Any clues?

Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 AT 4:51 AM

6 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

Good morning,

Do you mean the gear on the end of the starter is stuck on the flywheel?

Did you change the flywheel during the swap? Which flywheel is on the motor?

Roy

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Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 AT 7:32 AM

ABRATTON623

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4 POSTS

I didn't change the flywheel and the gear isn't lining up with the starter gear to crank the engine.

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Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 AT 8:38 AM

ABRATTON623

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4 POSTS

I have a typo in the main message, it is not seized. It moves freely.

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Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 AT 8:40 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

It sounds like you need to shim the starter to get it to engage the flywheel gear.

Were there any shims in the starter box when you got it?

Roy

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Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 AT 8:48 AM

ABRATTON623

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4 POSTS

No.

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Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 AT 9:40 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

You can go to a parts store and get the shims.

Is the starter from the donor engine? If it ran great in the other truck, you should not have any issues with it now.

Roy

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Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 AT 10:31 AM