No Start After Head Gasket Job

[michael0042]

1998 GMC Sierra K 1500 350 5.7 Vortec 

 

Head gasket blew. Solved the problem by following this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFgLtP_NSsg). Followed exactly. Put everything back together and no start. Replaced starter, ignition coil, map sensor, camshaft position sensor and the distributor/spark plugs and wires are new. The rocker arms/valves are tightened perfect (over-compulsively checked). The distributor points at cylinder 1 on top dead center. All OBD II codes have been resolved.

It truly feel like I did the job right, but somehow I missed the original problem. The very last time I tried to start the engine (before fixing the head gasket job) it began to start and then slammed to a stop (ahh!). I did the head gasket job, checked all hardware along the way, and attacked all OBD II codes after the job (replacing the parts mentioned above).

When I start the truck the starter runs with a vengeance and the serpentine belt is turning. However, there is no normal cranking sound, just a loud starter (see video).
What am I missing?

[riverbanks]

Timing chain shot?hand crank the harmonic balancer bolt back and forth,how much play before you are spinning cam?

[michael0042]

It does move just a touch before I feel it catch.

 

[riverbanks]

Just listened to video,starter bad,and or flexplate teeth

[michael0042]

When the starter turns on it is spinning the motor. The harmonic balancer spins.

[riverbanks]

Was a starter recently put on?and that sound was there before teardown?it needs shims,the starter is too close to flexplate teeth,it is bending the starter drive and taking out the nose cone

[Black02Silverado]

In the old days the starter needed to be shimmed so that it would connect with the flywheel teeth properly.  That is why if I ever have to replace a starter, I always have the original one rebuilt that way I know it will fit and operate properly.  Not saying this is the problem but it kind of sounds like it is the starter and how it is connecting to the flywheel teeth to tight causing it to drag.

[riverbanks]

Second vote, for starter issue,I just had to take a heart pill,it sounded like a old Dodge,lol

[michael0042]

It was doing something similar before with the old starter. This is why I replaced it. The new starter is doing the same thing. However, I did not record the previous noise so I cannot be for certain. (I'm going to grab some shims.)

[riverbanks]

Sounds good,s.b.chevy,you shouldn't here the starter,one of the reasons why I love them,just think,all your battery power is going to cranking the engine, because of the drag,coil probably didn't see a volt

[michael0042]

Shimmed it up and still the same sound. The gap is now 1/8th inch or more. It is still turning the flywheel. Also, I checked the spark and there is spark. There is fuel and air. I haven't checked compression.

 

It does still sound like the starter is trying too hard. The normal sound an engine makes when starting is just not there. 

[riverbanks]

Shim further,you might be one shim away from perfect mesh,and did you remove starter or just loosen to install shims? just wondering if you got a look at flexplate teeth,and is either bolt bent?like starter wobbled,when spinning bolt

[riverbanks]

Drop that starter,I don't like the results,same sound?I'm wondering if nose is hitting bell housing and cocking the starter, wrong part,boxed wrong? look at where drive gear is hitting flexplate teeth,low,I'm thinking,noticible shine on flex teeth,low,as in the valley of the teeth

[michael0042]

I did just loosen to install the shims but I can see the tThe teeth on the flywheel are good. Looks pretty. I put the whole pack of shims in there one at a time with no change along the way. I can't get a good picture but I can see it well.

[riverbanks]

In the 1 pic,to the left of bell housing notch,is that 2 shiny spots, from where starter gear is or was hitting