How tell if gear reduction start fits is right?

[tdskip]

So one of the things I inherited with the '66 TR4A was an extra gear reduction starter. I am planning on using it on the '68 TR4A IRS. The original/factory starter on the '68 TR4A IRS had a spacer on it between the housing and the starter.

Do you think I should I use the spacer again or leave it off? How do you check for alignment on a starter, sort of just energizing it?

Thanks!

 

[TR3driver]

I would leave off the spacer, Tom. With the original starter, the spacer would increase engagement between the starter teeth and the ring gear (so maybe it was put on to compensate for wear in one or the other).

But the gear-drive starter hits the flywheel from the opposite side, so adding a spacer will decrease it's engagement. Best to leave it off, at least initially.

You could try taking some measurements to confirm that; but it's kind of tedious and error prone. I'd just bolt it up and try it. As long as the starter teeth don't drag with the starter not engaged, it isn't too close to the engine.

 

[tdskip]

Thanks Randall - I'll install without the spacer.