Hi everyone i just had my 289 rebuilt with a mild cam. While i was adjusting the valves the engine was cranking over with no problem. Then i fired her up and turned on like a charm. But i tried again and all i heard was the starter spinning, but not engaging the engine. To turn on the engine I hot wired it, just to start it and when i started the engine by mistake i kept giving the starter power. Could this have caused the Starter Bendix to get damaged? I checked my flywheel before installing my engine and it was perfectly fine? however i forgot to screw on the four little nuts that hold the flywheel. could this be the cause of the the starter being damaged? or how about the Torque Converter? Also this is a 40 year old starter. thank you very much.

 

any suggestions?

 

Could be a combination of these things.

Is that an automatic = Flexplate

or standard = Flywheel ?

Flexplates chew up easy from starters ans starter drives die from flopping because they are supposed to spin straight.

What are the numbers on your starter to make sure it is correct

 

yes its a flexplate. I'm replacing the starter with a brand new one, however is the flexplate spacer/load spreader really needed? because i didn't put it on :/...thanks