Gear reduction starter the answer?

[nismou20]

Recently, I swapped to a GM Alternator and since then my direct drive starter chatters so much more like its grinding down the ring gear. Would a gear reduction starter reduce this chatter? If it infact uses less amps to turn over I'm hoping that it will soften the blow to the ring gear. I didn't have this issue all the years while my old original alternator was starting to degrade. The GM Alt is working fine and not overcharging according to the VOM.

[spyder]

Retard the timing and see if the starter turns much easier. I went through this issue until I went to electronic ignition. It would automatically retard the ignition until the engine rotational speed got to 400 rpm. The GM alt doesn't produce power until it is at a certain rpm. Mine has a large pulley on it and it doesn't produce power until I get to about 1500 rpms.

[greydog]

It may be that a poor connection (cables, fuse box, ignition switch, etc) is creating resistance and was a contributor to your oem alternator's death. Now with the GM, you have plenty of "head room" so the next thing in the chain is misbehaving.
So, before you go buy a new starter, only to have something else give trouble, make sure you're getting full voltage at the starter and solenoid.
Once you're sure your wiring is up to snuff, you can be confident in replacing the starter.
Dan

[notoptoy]

Make sure you have the ground cable that goes from the starter to the frame.

[nismou20]

Found the culprit to be the spade connector wire to solenoid was loose and making/braking contact! Crimped it and no more issue. Above were all great ideas but my 69 U20 doesn't have a grounding cable to frame or engine. Should I? I know the earlier cars did. Anyways, I'm good to go. Thanks,

[greydog]

I don't think you can have too many grounds but, yes, there should be at least one block to frame ground.
Dan

[Linda]

The ground strap from lower starter bolt to frame, where there is already a hole, is easy. Just a battery cable size with bolt hole fitting at each end is easiest , avail AutoZone etc.
Linda