[yragat]

I have a Cadillac engine with a chevy turbo 350 trans with a Wilcap adaptor between them--With this set-up you use a dodge truck starter. Today the nose cone broke off of the starter. the starter was bolted tight to the adaptor. what would cause this to happen ? It does not call for shimms and there is no way to shim it closer or further away from the flex plate anyhow.
Thanks

[mud.man.rj]

Does the Dodge starter gear actually mesh properly with the t350 flexplate. Usually only when things don't mesh properly it will bind and break the weakest kink, the nose cone. Pretty sure ther is more than one Dodge drive with different gear type, maybe check into the other ones.

[yragat]

Its not a chevy flexplate it is a special one that comes with the adaptor and it says to use 1966 to 1999 mopar 2 bolt starter with gear reduction drive

[a67tempest455]

Are you using the right bolts? i know on other GM motors if you dont use the special starter bolts with the knurled area at the top and bottom it will create a loose fit and let the starter slide to one side and eventually crack the nose even if it feels tight. Not totally familiar with your set up so this may or may not aply. let us know what you figure out

[yragat]

with the mopar starter the bolts go in horizontal,not vertical like a GM. I know what you mean about the GM bolts,but don't know if mopars use a special bolt--if anyone knows please let me know I just have regular bolts that take a 5/8" wrench

[OneMoreTime]

Cad engines use a mounting strap attached to the rear of the starter and to the block..common issue is to leave that strap off and have broken starter noses as a result..

Sam

[Frisco]

Possible cause.

How is the timing?

If your ignition timing is too far advanced (or the advance weights are hung in the fully advanced position), you can get 'kick-back' when attempting to start the engine. This can cause the starter motor to move and possibly break the nose.

Add the rear support strap as suggested by OneMoreTime.

[yragat]

Its a stock engine and timing is set to factory specs . I put one of them mini starters on today ---about 1/2 the weight and size--don't think I should need a strap with it.