I intalled a starter on my engine and the gear only engages the ring gear halfway. I have been told that this is okay, but I wanted to get a second opinion.

I use a paper clip for clearance checking.

Actually it is the horizontal travel that I am worried about-the starter gear only comes out far enough to engage half of the ring gear.

That's not right at all, cause there isn't any adjustment for that! Take it back and get another.

Mine was the same way, but I found out I put my flywheel on backwards http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/frown.gif
Put on a new flywheel the correct way and it's fine now http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/smile.gif

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70 Camaro
Y2K 17" Vette Rims, 95 Z28 Rear Disk Brakes, Autometer Ultralites in a stock bezel, B&M Megashifter mounted in a stock 70 console.
357ci, 10.5 to 1, 200cc Dart Heads, Roller Rockers, CSI Electric Water Pump, Gear Drive, Demon Carb, 200R4


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I'm pretty sure I checked for that. It's been sitting there for a while, so I may just have to go and try flipping it again . . .

The lip around the center hole should stick out toward the rear of the car.

I rechecked this the other day, and I do have the lip facing out. This also has the converter mounting surfaces facing with the raised end toward the transmission.

You got it on the right way.

I'd check to see if the starter spur gear is all the way at it's limit of travel on the main starter shaft while cranking. It should be hard up against the little brass bushing they put on the end of the main shaft to keep it from hitting the far side of the starter snout. If it's not, then you have a bum starter or something very odd going on with the spur gear/ring gear engagement.

Does anyone know what the distance is supposed to be from the back of the engine (where the bellhousing mounts) to the ring gear?
The bronze bushing of the starter is up against the end of the snout (where it is supposed to be-unless it is supposed to be recessed) but it lines up about 1/4 of the way forward from the edge of the ring gear. In other words, the bushing is lined up with part of the gear, so there is no way the starter gear can engage all the way.