Starter doesn't engage...

[e46s54dr]

Are you sure your transmission is mated to block perfectly? Something about that dust shield looks a bit off. Also, since there isnt a 3rd guide pin, is there excessive freeplay or movement before you bolt it down securely? Its either misalignment of the gears or the bendix gear isnt popping out far enough by the looks of it.

[lolcantturn]

The dust shield does look off indeed, but it is not interfering with how close I can get the starter. It alligns with all the holes on my transmission too. Perhaps I should remove the dust shield? The gear pops out the whole way unfortunately. No freeplay or movement.

[lolcantturn]

[slammin.e28]

Lolenginecan'tturn

I really have no input other than that....

[lolcantturn]

Lolenginecan'tturn

I really have no input other than that....

-_____________-

[drumad]

Lolenginecan'tturn

I really have no input other than that....

Hey now, you're having the same problems

[slammin.e28]

Hey now, you're having the same problems

Haha, we were. I'm too embarrassed to say what the "problem" was.....'cause there wasn't one.

[lolcantturn]

guys helpppppppppp.

[bcusitsjeff]

im not too sure about transmission differences, but i read in a thread about m50 swaps (hopefully i can get mine done soon) that the starter has to be the correct one for your Tranny...

maybe that will help?

sorry if it doesnt im still a noob at all this. lol

[SkorcherX]

Starter has to match the flywheel AND the tranny. This is what I have read in the wiki and other write-ups. So I my old 325e starter did not work with the single mass flywheel, and my E36 starter (from an automatic) wouldn't work either.

So based on your pictures, we know that this starter will engage your flywheel. But clearly after swapping to the new tranny it is no longer able to. not sure if your going to be able to make this combination work. I would seek others who have used this combo and see if they have any advise.

[lolcantturn]

Starter has to match the flywheel AND the tranny. This is what I have read in the wiki and other write-ups. So I my old 325e starter did not work with the single mass flywheel, and my E36 starter (from an automatic) wouldn't work either.

So based on your pictures, we know that this starter will engage your flywheel. But clearly after swapping to the new tranny it is no longer able to. not sure if your going to be able to make this combination work. I would seek others who have used this combo and see if they have any advise.

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?

[lolcantturn]

I think the best way is to refund my M50 starter and use an M20 starter and change out the pinion since it's the wrong pitch. Is this feasible?

[slammin.e28]

Can you remove the plate at the back of the oil pan and peer up into there while someone else cycles the starter? See exactly what it's doing when installed.

[e46s54dr]

You can measure the distance betweeen the flat mounting surface of the starter to the end of the bendix gear when fully extended and compare it to the length from the outer edge of the flywheel to the flat mounting surface of the tranny to see if the starter has enough movement to engage the flywheel.

[lolcantturn]

Can you remove the plate at the back of the oil pan and peer up into there while someone else cycles the starter? See exactly what it's doing when installed.

That's not really do-able without pulling the trans back a little bit

You can measure the distance betweeen the flat mounting surface of the starter to the end of the bendix gear when fully extended and compare it to the length from the outer edge of the flywheel to the flat mounting surface of the tranny to see if the starter has enough movement to engage the flywheel.

This is true. I'm going to do that, however it seems it already makes sense the flywheel is too far

Regardless, what Skorcher said somewhat makes sense. If that's the case, can I buy M20 starter and use an old M50 pinion?