Starter problems after doing 5 speed swap

[justinbrugg]

someone please help me! Recently got an American powertrain t5 transmission swap kit (trans, fly wheel, clutch everything!) for my 78 c10 that has a remanufactures 350 crate motor. I talked to a guy at American powertrain and he said that oem starters are supposed to work with the kit but when installing a oem starter (correct for 168 fly) that he recommended and uses personally it doesn’t extend the pinon gear out far enough to fully make contact with the fly. Estimate about 1/2 of the gear makes contact. I’ve checked many times and the solenoid is fully extending. I’m pretty lost and it’s the 3rd starter I’ve tried not counting the auto trans starter the truck came with. Total: 2 mini starters and an oem. Any ideas? The fly wheel is installed correctly and the distance from the block to fly wheel is correct distance. Any ideas would help! Black mark on pinon is how far it connects to fly.

 

[Rustisbest]

Flywheel on backwards is the only thing I can think of. You sure it's not flipped?

 

[Ricko1966]

A flipped manual transmission flywheel? Is that even possible? Flexplates yeah but a legitimate flywheel,you'd have to try really hard to make that happen.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

A flipped manual transmission flywheel? Is that even possible? Flexplates yeah but a legitimate flywheel,you'd have to try really hard to make that happen.

That's another for the shame thread! Flywheel vs flexplate! People seem to use those interchangeably.

 

[Rustisbest]

A flipped manual transmission flywheel? Is that even possible? Flexplates yeah but a legitimate flywheel,you'd have to try really hard to make that happen.

I've never seen the back side of a flywheel that smooth before. Usually they're rough cast, but I didn't screw it together

 

[justinbrugg]

Flywheel on backwards is the only thing I can think of. You sure it's not flipped

Flywheel on backwards is the only thing I can think of. You sure it's not flipped?

thought that could be it too but it would only make the distance further since the gears are sitting on the side of the fly closest to the block. Only other problems I could think of is maybe the holes for the starter were incorrectly drilled when refurbishing the block or the fly is incorrectly machined.

 

[justinbrugg]

I've never seen the back side of a flywheel that smooth before. Usually they're rough cast, but I didn't screw it together

I’m fairly certain the fly has a nice finish on both sides but it’s been a few months since installing. The car has moved under it’s own power by the way.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Flywheel on backwards is the only thing I can think of. You sure it's not flipped?

Good eye. Yeah, I am leaning towards it being on backurds

 

[justinbrugg]

Good eye. Yeah, I am leaning towards it being on backurds

I’ve pulled the car off my lift under its own power. Wouldn’t that mean it’s all been installed correctly? I also think the fly is a nice Finnish on either side.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I’m fairly certain the fly has a nice finish on both sides but it’s been a few months since installing. The car has moved under it’s own power by the way.

Just because you didn't do it doesn't mean it can't be backurds. And flywheels do not have nice finish on both sides

 

[DoubleDingo]

I’ve pulled the car off my lift under its own power. Wouldn’t that mean it’s all been installed correctly? I also think the fly is a nice Finnish on either side.

Flywheels are not dual wear surface.

 

[justinbrugg]

Just because you didn't do it doesn't mean it can't be backurds. And flywheels do not have nice finish on both sides

I’m honestly hoping it’s as easy as flipping it around. I’m only confused because the gears are off the the side of the fly that is closest to the block and it has a ridge on the surface facing the block. Looking at flywheels there are also indents on the sides facing the transmission were it screws in. Like I’ve said the car moves under its own power without any problems.

 

[justinbrugg]

Flywheels are not dual wear surface.

i found a photo of the other side of my flywheel (facing the clutch)

 

[DoubleDingo]

Engine side.......

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[DoubleDingo]

Transmission side......

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