Flywheel backwards??

[kingjason]

Ok I picked up a 73 Vette today and they story I got from the guy is that he believes his brother installed the flywheel backwards so the starter wont engage. Does this sound feesable?? The motor and tranny are really clean and he said it was a very well built motor but the torque conv went. He said his brother changed it out and put on a new flywheel and then it has sat for 3 years becuase he went thru the big D right about that time. The deeper side of the flywheel is towards the block and the side that is shallow is on the tranny side.

[kingjason]

[greenbullitt]

there are two size ring gears for sbc also...hope this helps..I think thats your problem...

[Lone Sailor]

Looks like a regular flexplate for an automatic.

[kingjason]

I have been doing some research on the web. Looks as though it is facing the right direction by the indentions facing the tranny. Maybe just maybe the starter is not shimmed right. Wow it would be crazy if thats what sidelined it a few years ago. It looks like it has a new diehard gold in it so it is on the charger right now. Car is stupid clean underneath and interior wise just needs paint. He said when he tried to crank it it just jingled like a phone ringing.

[kingjason]

there are two size ring gears for sbc also...hope this helps..I think thats your problem...

I did think about that also but how can you tell?

[stevo]

I did think about that also but how can you tell?

I believe the larger flexplate/flywheel (168t?) has the starter bolts diagonal from the engine, the smaller (153t?) one has them in line perpendicular from the engine.

The starter on my Jeep with a Chevy engine/trans has the larger flexplate, and they are diagonal to the centerline of the engine/transmission.

Stevo

[Lason]

Yep I think its the wrong starter. The starter gear will engage even if it goes past the flexplate which I doubt it could. I think they used the smaller flexplate and wrong starter.

[greenbullitt]

Starters with the big body and staggered bolt pattern use the 168 tooth flywheel/flex plate and those with the smaller body straight pattern use the 153 tooth flywheel/flexplate.

stevo is right

[kingjason]

LOL Lason i was thinking it was called flexplate but its called both all over the web so i just picked one.

I will get it on a jack and eyeball it better tommorrow. So you guys think he put on the wrong starter or flexplate? I will see if I can get a measurement on it tommorrow. Which ever is wrong I want to change because I hate a hodgepodge of different parts on my cars, unless its a Jeep then it's all good.

[greenbullitt]

LOL Lason i was thinking it was called flexplate but its called both all over the web so i just picked one.

I will get it on a jack and eyeball it better tommorrow. So you guys think he put on the wrong starter or flexplate? I will see if I can get a measurement on it tommorrow. Which ever is wrong I want to change because I hate a hodgepodge of different parts on my cars, unless its a Jeep then it's all good.

change the starter and roll... assuming you have both sets of holes on the block

[Magnimike1]

If it is a large flexplate and an older motor it could be a metric starter which would not work also.

[kingjason]

I should have trusted my first instincts. I just had a strange feeling the motor was messed up. The flywheel and starter were fine. I got under it and used a screw dirver to turn the flexplate a full revolution. Then it would turn over a little. So I went and got a new higher amp battery for it and it started turning over. Fired right up and started smoking, then it started making a terrible squeeking grinding noise. Plus it had zero oil pressure. Oh well you win some you lose some prob still not a bad deal for the car. I just hate trying to find a reliable engine builder.