Hello all,
I have a 1972 cutlass S I am converting to a muncie 4 speed. I finally got the starter on last yesterday and when I cranked it over it made a terrible sound. I checked under the car and the gear that makes contact with the flywheel would not retract. It would just get stuck. So I went out and bought some shims to create the proper spacing. I was able to get a 1/16" shim but the starter is now tight againsr the bell housing. The gear is now able to retract but it still make a not so great sound. I am using the starter I've had on the car since I bought it and the flywheel I bought has 166 teeth and is for an olds. I'm not sure what to do. I have no more room to add shims but there's still an issue. Any help would be appreciated!

 

Assume you have a 350 in it, should check the flywheel to starter clearance at several spots, 1/8" drill bit works for quick reference.

 

So this starter was fine with the AT flexplate and now is now with the new MT flywheel. What's different? Sounds like that flywheel may not be machined correctly.

 

I tried to check the clearance but I couldn't get a drill bit or an allen key in there because the bell housing is in the way. And yes, it worked fine for the flexplate before. I really don't want to have have to take it off and send it back. Would grinding a bit of metal out if the bell housing to add some space for another spacer be possible? I don't want to do that either.