edb07

Need help minimizing the punishment for a good deed. I am helping a friend whose older Fountain’s engine seized up. After pulling the plugs and almost snapping the breaker bar, we pull the starter he had installed a few months prior. See photo 1.

To my amazement, the starter gear had improperly engaged the flywheel and locked the engine up. That was the good news. Now the bad news and where the help is needed. I know nothing about TRSs and their top mounted starters.

Would somebody look at the picture 2 and if possible tell me if this is the correct starter and help me with a few questions:

What would generally cause such a problem, if starter were correct?
Flywheel may require replacement if teeth are too chewed up, but I did not have mirrors and lights to properly inspect it.
Any suggestions in this area?
Is there a possibility that somebody used a wrong style flywheel when owner had engines rebuilt 4 years ago?
What do I look for on the flywheel to make sure it is correct (w/o pulling engine to do this?
If anybody has pictures of different flywheels (correct and incorrect) I would appreciate it.

I can use some help here! Thanks

Ed B

edb07

Picture of complete starter.

Crazyhorse

Yup, that's the right starter. You're going to want to replace the starter drive, as well as look close at the teeth on the ring gear. Turn the engine with a socket and breaker bar/long ratchet to inspect the teeth. It's possible the solenoid wasn't pulling the drive gear out fully, causing something less than full tooth engagement.

edb07

Thanks, I will probably just have my friend buy a new starter and start fresh (after I inspect the flywheel).

Ed

cuda

It's the same starter I have in my boat. 86 454 with twin disc tranny.

edb07

I did not get down that far, but does the TRS set up prohibit the use of a standard bottom bolt chevrolet starter?

Crazyhorse

The ring gear is on the opposite side of the flywheel than a block-mount starter would take. The ring gear is the same, just on the rear side of the flywheel.
Believe me, it will be cheaper to put a new drive gear in your starter than to buy a new/rebuilt one.

Bulldog

The entire flywheel does not have to be changed if the gear teeth are messed up. The gear is a large ring that can be removed and replaced. The ring gear the same for any old chevy manual trans vehicle with a large (14.5??? inch) flywheel.

1- Put the new ring gear in the oven at about 450.
2- Heat the old ring gear on the flywheel with a torch.
3- Using a drift, pop the old ring gear off.
4- Lay the flywheel down, clutch side up.
5- Drop the hot ring gear on.
6- Check to make sure gear is seated against the lip machined in the flywheel.

Crazyhorse

Yup, what he said.

jpclear

Top/Reverse mount starters are generally preferred cause they are up where you can get at them and away from bilge water. Keep in mind that since the starter mounts behind the flywheel, it has to spin opposite rotation from the standard, block mount starter. That means that the starter clutch/drive gear assmb. is also unique and not readily available at the local auto parts store. I have cleaned up flywheel gear teeth by rotating and working through the starter mount hole. It's tedious but beats a whole R&R and worked out fine for me. luck! --- Jer