79 camaro starting problem

[snaset]

Hey Dudes,
I have a 79 Chevy Camaro with a 305. I have had nothing but problems with starting this car up. I go through starters like crazy. The aftermarkets only last a couple of months, and the ACDelcos only last 8 months tops. I don't know what is wrong with this car, I am about ready to drive it off a cliff. I've tried using shims and that only makes it worse. The starters work fine at first, after a while they make a lot of loud noise, then they don't engage at all and just spin. I have had a new fly wheel put in and the problem still exists. Please help. Thanks, Steve Naset.

[460_fan]

Maybe try a high torque starter from Summit or Jegs. They have a life time warrentee, and should help I would think. I am no expert, but it might be worth a try.

[snaset]

threads merged

[snaset]

As far as I know, yes. I bought the car used, and I'm not sure of the cars history. I believe it is all stock.

[earn_n_fbody]

does it stumble when its cranking over.
you should check your base timing

that has happened to me many times

[halftanked]

Are you possibly omitting the bracket on the front to the block? They have a tendency to twist and self-destruct with out them.

[snaset]

Thanks, and yes it does take a long time to crank over and it does make a lot of noise when trying to start. I have not done a compression test. What is your advice?

[snaset]

Thanks Man,
Thats way cool. I'm writing everything down and I will go over everything you said with my mechanic. I really appreciate your help! Thanks a lot,
Steven C. Naset.

[snaset]

By the way,
What you said about the tune up and Carb. I recently did a tune up with help from a friend, and I had a mechanic rebuild the carb. The problem still exists but now that I think of it, a while back a mechanic friend of mine said that he thinks I am running on seven cilynders. It could need a valve job, could that also be the source of my problem?

[Matt167]

a leak down test could tell if a dead cylinder due to lack of compression, which can be done with the correct NPT fittings and an air hose, and put as much PSI in as you get on a compression test.