'71 Beetle Starter motor probs

My first guess is you should check the crank end play. Grab the crank pulley and push/pull (hard). The pulley should move something like the thickness of a hair. If you feel **lots** of movement, like 1/8", 1/4", etc., then the end play is waaaay out of spec. And you're looking at bigger problems than non-starting...

I don't mean to sound like a wet blanket; do the quick test I described and post back.

Speedy Jim

While you are checking, look at the engine mounting bolts. If loose, they may cause too much play for the starter motor gear to contact the ring gear.

Fweem.

Dave