Oldguard 7

When installing a starter does the gear on the starter have to mesh with the gears on the flexplate? I put on the starter and the teeth on the starter gear did not mesh with the teeth on the flexplate. When cranking the vehicle, do the teeth on the starter gear "pop out" to engage the flexplate and then retract once the engine has started? Please help.

Smokehouse69

Yes, there is a mechanism in the starter called the Bendix, when the starter is energized the gear pops out meshes with the ring gear on the fly wheel or flexplate.

cardo0

:D My brand new Chevy mini starter came with only two specs in the instructions. Fist spec was 0.10”+/-0.040” between face of flywheel teeth and face of starter gear teeth when retracted. Second spec was 0.040”+/- 0.015” at tip of teeth when gears/teeth are meshed. Now 0.040” just happens to be the dia. of a large paper clip. BTW most auto parts stores sell thin shims to correct alignment.
Good luck #7.

Oldguard 7

When you install a starter do you have to align the starter gear teeth with the teeth on the flexplate?