Starter Grinding

[vdub]

This may be the wrong forum but maybe someone can answer this question.

I have an 85 Bronco II 4X 2.8 V6 with a Mitsubishi FM-145 5 speed.

My starter has been grinding since I got the truck. It is not grinding all the time only when its spinning, I have gone through 5 starters since I have gotten the truck. The gears don't seam to be meshing completely. Imagine moving 2 gears away from each other so just the tips of the gears are touching. I have made it better by ovaling out the holes that hold the starter in but its still not right.

I am using a Lester number 3188 starter which is what the truck calls for.

Its hard to explain what its doing, Its like just the tip of the Bendix gear is touching the flywheel. Its fully engaging just not fully meshing. Thats the best I can explain it without drawing a picture.

Has anyone had a problem like this before of know a way to resolve it. I work at a parts store and I am thinking about having a bigger gear put on my starter. but I would rather find an easier way.

Before I got the truck I know the tranny was changed and after the second starter failed I pulled the tranny out to check the flywheel and found it and the clutch where brand new.

Also most people recommended using a shim. I have already tried. the starter doesn't need to go further in or out. It needs to go more side to side if you understand what I mean.

 

[Todd~Rod]

You sure the flywheels good???? does it have the right fly wheel on it??

 

[vdub]

Yeah the flywheel is great.

as far as I know its the right flywheel. I don't know of any other flywheel that would even fit a 2.8 that would be wrong.

I am not against changing the flywheel but its a hard job and I don't see how it could be wrong. But I am open to ideas.