Less than 200 miles on my new TA flywheel. What would cause this? I definatly didnt try to start it when it was running. Using one of Jamies mini starters that I put 3000 miles on with the old motor and the flywheel (that I just gave away) was perfect. Any suggestions?
Hey, Not sure, do you have the inspection cover on the bellhousing? Another possibility is a loose starter or flywheel. A fresh engine could mean that it is possible that the starter wasn't torqued down. Anyway, a new ring gear would be in order. most machine shops can that for not much $$$. I think T/A sells a separate ring gear for this repair. Make sure to check the mini starter for damage as well. If not damage there, I'd suspect a rock got into the gear somehow. What ever happened, the whole works needs to come apart to be fixed. Kinda sucks when you should be driving right now! Good luck on the fix, definately not a common problem. Jim '69 GS California 455/4-spd/3.31 posi
Starter is tight and works fine now except the noise it makes when it hits the broken teeth. I was running an inspection cover till it fell off last weekend on I85 (teeth were broken prior to that). The holes on the bellhousing were stripped. Mike is sending me a new on and a guess a little JB Weld will fix the holes. I called TA and they dont sell the ring gear so I have a new flywheel on the way too. Truth is I have been driving the car as is. Having to buy parts twice sucks but having to pull everything apart sucks like nothing that has sucked before.
What can break ring gear teeth is ''kick back'' that is caused when the ign. timing is too high and the starter is engaged. also you might rockwell hardness test the gear to see if it is up to spec. I found some hydrolic lifters that were soft, after they wiped out my cam, unfortunatly.
You can get a ring gear off a flexplate. Use a hammer to break the welds on the flexplate, then smooth the left over weldment on the inside of the gear. Use a hammer and drift or punch to get the old gear off the flywheel, then use the same to get the new one on.
Thanks Scott but I just got the new one today and have someone interested in the old flywheel as is for a dyno.