Flywheel inspection possible?

[47topless]

I suspect that I have a bad ring gear that is jamming up my starter. Is there any way to inspect the flywheel with the engine in the car, or am I destined to pull the engine to take a look at the ring gear?
Thank you,
Phil

[deuce5wndw]

You should be able to inspect it through the hole after the starter is removed. Turn the engine with a socket on the crankshaft pulley.

[KiWinUS]

Originally Posted by deuce5wndw

You should be able to inspect it through the hole after the starter is removed. Turn the engine with a socket on the crankshaft pulley.

You would need a mirror as the wear on ring gear is on backside of ring gear.

[KiWinUS]

Sorry double post

[J Franklin]

When the starter is out you can inspect the drive and shaft for any damage or bends.

[47topless]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Starter looks fine. It is new.
Rocking the car in 3rd gear unlocks the starter, so I suspect a bad ring gear.
Oh well.
Thank you all for the good suggestions.
Phil

[Don T]

This is just FYI for starter jamming problems, not necessarily related to 47 topless's problem. I have replaced the ring gear on 2 8BA's, both running driving vehicles and have had both of them jamb. I have changed my starting technique from just touching the starter with no throttle to giving just a bit of gas (to make sure I get a sure start to kick the starter out) and staying on the starter button just a millisecond longer to complete the start. When I had one of the engines out (long sad story as to why) I took a serious look at the replacement ring gear; like most stuff we get for these old vehicles it was what I would call "rough" machined. The Bendix used on this engine was in excellent shape, no reason to rebuild or replace it. I spent a bit of time with a dremel to "ease" the edges of the ring gear teeth, hoping for a smoother entry/exit of the starter gear into the ring gear. I have put about 6K miles on this car since doing this without a stuck starter event, even when I get sloppy with my starting technique. Just a thought for others who are doing or did a ring gear replacement.

[alanwoodieman]

does your starter have the bracket that bolts to the oil pan rail?

[deuce5wndw]

Originally Posted by alanwoodieman

does your starter have the bracket that bolts to the oil pan rail?

That is a great question I didn't think of!

[Pete]

Originally Posted by 47topless

Starter looks fine. It is new.
Rocking the car in 3rd gear unlocks the starter, so I suspect a bad ring gear.
Oh well.
Thank you all for the good suggestions.
Phil

One jam job can bend the shaft. The starter is junk then till it is fixed.
Exam of the flywheel is done with a small mirror as suggested previously.

[KiWinUS]

Remember it Will possibly only have wear in 4 spots. As you look with your mirror you need to slowly turn engine.

[47topless]

Originally Posted by alanwoodieman

does your starter have the bracket that bolts to the oil pan rail?

yes.