Need help with a CJ7 starter

maddhatter · 02-03-2009, 12:28 AM

Ok, So here is the deal. I have a 85 CJ7 with a 258 and a 5speed. When I got the CJ it had washers that shimmed the starter out like 1/2" to 3/4" now before you say it I KNOW JEEPS DON'T HAVE STARTER SHIMS! But this one does and if I put the starter on without them it will start but the starter will never release. I know the motor is not stock and came from a 85 or 86 waggy and I have no idea what bell housing they used.

So what I need to know is. I have looked at pic's of the starters for older CJ's and it looks like the gear might be shorter. Before 76 or something like that.
Can anyone tell me if they are? and if the bolts are the same?

I am thinking they might have used a much older bell housing when they built the Jeep. They want over $100 for the older starter and would have to order it so if it is wrong it is a wasted cash that I just don't have. Any help would be great like a cheap used older starter or just one I could use to try it out.
It has always made a nasty sound even when it worked so I wonder if the tooth count might be different also. The teeth on my flywheel look bad but I am not going to change it just to end up right back here with the same problem.

Any info or help would be great. Thanks.

02-03-2009, 12:28 AM	#1
maddhatter Join Date: May 2007 Location: loveland OH Posts: 324	Need help with a CJ7 starter Ok, So here is the deal. I have a 85 CJ7 with a 258 and a 5speed. When I got the CJ it had washers that shimmed the starter out like 1/2" to 3/4" now before you say it I KNOW JEEPS DON'T HAVE STARTER SHIMS! But this one does and if I put the starter on without them it will start but the starter will never release. I know the motor is not stock and came from a 85 or 86 waggy and I have no idea what bell housing they used. So what I need to know is. I have looked at pic's of the starters for older CJ's and it looks like the gear might be shorter. Before 76 or something like that. Can anyone tell me if they are? and if the bolts are the same? I am thinking they might have used a much older bell housing when they built the Jeep. They want over $100 for the older starter and would have to order it so if it is wrong it is a wasted cash that I just don't have. Any help would be great like a cheap used older starter or just one I could use to try it out. It has always made a nasty sound even when it worked so I wonder if the tooth count might be different also. The teeth on my flywheel look bad but I am not going to change it just to end up right back here with the same problem. Any info or help would be great. Thanks.