I bought one of those LifeTime replacement starters from PepBoys...
After about 3 or 4 replacements, I think they are getting sick of seeing me...
Every 6 months to a year I chew up the gear on the starter. I don't think I have been getting the correct one because of a thick metal band on the rod that the starter gear rotates on. This thick metal band appears to prevent the starter gear from fully engaging the flex plate (stops about 2/3rds of the way). Also, the starter gear is tapered (I guess to help it line up the flex plate teeth)
Anyway, here are some pics....
MY QUESTION::: I just wanted to make sure that the starter gear should better engage the flex plate ....
This is out of a 1973 C10 454 with the TH400