Starter doesn't engage...

[lolcantturn]

It seems I have a couple of options:

1. Get a M20 singlemass flywheel, have it machined (remember, wont fit on a M50 without shaving), redo all the work I did to put the trans, buy a new starter fit for an M20. This would be all for a motor I'm going to use for like a month longer............so this is VERY unappealing to me

2. Get an M20 starter, Change the starter bendex pinion to an M50 pitch one (im running an M50 flywheel). I don't know how to change a bendex gear out or if it's possible

3. Space the trans out away from the motor, this is probably feasible with the dust shield and about 1 washer between the trans and block. Though I don't know how healthy this is for the pilot bearing/input shaft of the trans. This will locate my starter closer to the flywheel.

Option 2 I think would be the best though I don't know anything about doing it.

[SwiftE30]

Before I abruptly end my life, as I am sure as hell not going to remove my trans to change my flywheel, can someone confirm this?

you can't change the flywheel w/o removing the flywheel.

[e30rapidic]

It seems I have a couple of options:

1. Get a M20 singlemass flywheel, have it machined (remember, wont fit on a M50 without shaving),

or just hit the back of the oil pan with a grinder to take the parts that hit the flywheel off, done that on a swap before. N2MYE30 has a pic somewhere, did it to his.

[lolcantturn]

I really don't want to remove my trans, thats the point of the 3 options :D, are both option 2 and 3 impractical?

[lolcantturn]

What about spacing my trans away from the block with another dust shield or spacers? It would only be about one washer so it would be the thickness of two dust shields, but looking at this that's all I need for the starter to make good contact. This wouldn't affect anything on the clutch but I'm worried about the pilot bearing?

[mentaleeill]

What about spacing my trans away from the block with another dust shield or spacers? It would only be about one washer so it would be the thickness of two dust shields, but looking at this that's all I need for the starter to make good contact. This wouldn't affect anything on the clutch but I'm worried about the pilot bearing?

spacing the trans with washers is a terrible idea. you're moving the load from a solid 360* circle (per say) of solid on solid, to 4 points of 1". besides if youre gonna go through that, just drop the trans, switch flywheels, and be happy knowing its done right.

[lolcantturn]

spacing the trans with washers is a terrible idea. you're moving the load from a solid 360* circle (per say) of solid on solid, to 4 points of 1". besides if youre gonna go through that, just drop the trans, switch flywheels, and be happy knowing its done right.

Hm ok, IIRC the dust shield on a M50 is thicker than an M20 so it would be a somewhat similar concept but I see what you mean. (I actually didn't think that through)

[lolcantturn]

Took my trans off tonight, from jacking the car up to having the flywheel in my hand it took me 33 minutes, I'm not sure if that's something to be proud of.


Currently trying to source an M20 single mass.....

[e30rapidic]

from jacking the car up to having the flywheel in my hand it took me 33 minutes, I'm not sure if that's something to be proud of.

shit, I would be!

[lolcantturn]

shit, I would be!

Well my exhaust is hung on by the 6 bolts at the headers, easily removed, and then held at the muffler section by the hangers, so it takes 8 bolts to remove my exhaust

Guibo was a bit challenging as I red loctite it, but with a 17mm on the trans side and an impact gun on the other side, they came off in about 2 minutes, center support bearing is about 10 seconds. The trick with the trans is to use long ass extensions so that you dont ever have to use u-joints, I think I used 5 12" extentions, the bolts all came off in about a minute. Jiggle the trans a bit and a nice big yank and it dropped to the floor. Clutch was done by the impact gun pretty easily, and I had to hand loosen the flywheel bolts since they were tight.
Yeah it's pretty sad.

Im getting a flywheel tomorrow and a starter so hopefully the car will be running by thursday night.

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Did you ever figure out this issue? I'm having the same exact situation...

[36brua]

Did you ever figure out this issue? I'm having the same exact situation...

try this ?

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=387775

[Vanilla Gorilla]

try this ?
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=387775

I'll give it a try tonight and see if there is any play that I can adjust it with. I'm using the tin plate between the tranny and block and it was seated nicely when I bolted everything up, still looks to be sitting perfectly when I look through the hole where the starter goes in.

[Vanilla Gorilla]

So that fixed my issue! I had to use a pry bar and put quite a bit of upward pressure on the starter while my buddy tightened down the bolts. That got the starter aligned correctly and got the car started.

There is a lot more play than I thought there would be with the starter. I guess it makes sense though seeing the m50 wasn't meant to have a g260 bolted to it or use the m20 starter haha

Thanks for the advice man. Really REALLY appreciate it.