Hello all, I am new to your board but I'm hoping someone can help me out. I have a 1996 Blazer with a new starter that's driving me nuts. I can get one successful crank out of it then it grinds when it comes up on compression. The old one sheared off one of the bolts and presented this problem so it probably wasn't bad.

I have tried mounting it with no, one, and two shims with the same result. I have also change the crank position sensor as I was advised that it retards the timing during cranking and when it doesn't function right it can cause this issue.

I notice that after grinding, when I loosen the mounting bolts the tail, (motor end) of the starter drops a little bit. I have tightened the bolts to the point I feel I might break them if I go any harder. The block and bell seem to be undamaged. I don't see any damage on the flywheel and I don't really suspect it as the problem persists if I manually turn the engine.

Any suggestions would truly be appreciated.

 

I have a 96 also and after I had my CPS out it started doing the same stuff, It was actually breaking the nose off of starters and sounded like a wrench in it even with new starters, all I can say is you should probly try getting a "CASE(crank sensor) learn" done on it before it does like mine and cracks the block where the starter bolts on, cause now my whole truck is junk because of it! A very very expensive lesson for me! best of luck to ya!