Is bumping an engine hard on the starter Drive?

When lashing valves I usually turn the engine with a wrench. I have used a remote starter button to bump the engine over before, but I have been concerned that it's beating up the starter drive and ring gear. Possibly leading to a failure at the worst possible moment. What's your experience with this? Am I being overly paranoid?

Way overly paranoid. If your starter can't take bumping to set valve lash that thing is junk.

Its no different than just starting the engine
that has a real good ignition where it wants
to start real quick.. long crank times are
harder on it than a short hit

Joel, since you have a Hemi and easy access to plugs, you can just pull a few to alleviate any concerns.

Ok, bumpity bump it shall be.

I always do it by hand. That way I hit the marks perfectly without going too far. I usually pull the plugs too, nice to have a look at them anyway.

I prefer the NON lazy wrench method cos starters are designed to start your car not set valves although many do.........Plus, the wrench is more accurate since you control it............

Same here as Thumper said, I like to first start the engine but just for a few minutes to not create heat and just get the cylinder walls and all else coated with a nice film of oil. Then I go to the wrench on the balance bolt and turn it to the desired position for lashing without scouring the walls with dry piston drag. I like lashing them cold.

If you ever took apart an old Mopar starter you'd have a visual answer to your question. The solenoid contacts are what really take the beating and arc out with every contact. So when the starter finally fails its got nothing to do with the armature, brushes, etc, its the solenoid contacts that have bit the bullet. Ford got it right making a stand alone starter solenoid !! Easy to change and a fraction of the cost !!

I use the starter to get most of the turn then
do it with a ratchet to get it on the money..
no plugs in it

I do it both ways depending on how hard it is to get the socket and breaker bar on the crankshaft bolt
I wouldn't try using the starter with all the plugs out

I've always just bumped the starter, I even have a starter button on the center of the firewall that I can reach from both sides. I use the 'ICE' method so once they're set I can buzz through them in a few minutes just to check them.

'ICE' method?

Intake valves start to open set the exhaust valve lash, rotate the motor over clockwise facing the motor until the intake valve opens all the way and starts to close a little and then set the exhaust valve lash
Works good, last a long time

I bump mine (15-1 comp) and do not follow the firing order. Switch is right on the firewall. Same stock Dodge truck starter for 5 years. Nearly 500 passes lashed every 20-25 passes.
Doug

I mounted a remote switch on both sides of the firewall on my Duster and have always used the starter to set valves.



https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/auto...=starter+button

Yep, Bump away.

I always bump it with the starter. Its just hard to turn mine by hand with my mechanical fan as I always seem to bang my hands up when doing it with a breaker bar. Ron