Starter/Ring Gear Problems

[Itsa37Ford]

I have a very frustrating starter/ring gear problem.  This is on a new build 37 Ford with a SBC stroker engine, the block is from 1970 vintage.  The tranny is a 700R4 from 1989.  The ring gear is the larger 168 tooth and the starters that I have tried are Wilson, Bosch high torque mini starters (2 each) and an OEM full size starter.

When the engine is cold it starts like a hot *, I can shut it off and restart any number of times until it reaches running temp.  Once the running temp is reached and left to idle for a few more minutes, if it is shut off, it will not restart.  The most godawful sound comes from the starter/ring gear.  There are sparks coming from the starter/ring gear area when attempting to restart.  There are metal filings on the garage floor, a lot.

I have shimmed on both bolts and just on the front bolt and just on the back bolt.  I have used all possible combinations of shims that include .015, .020, .040 & .060.  I have recheck the electrical connections. I have adjusted the ring gear so that I can manually push out the bendix to mesh with the ring gear and checked the gap between the starter gear inside the ring gear and there is ample room to put a larger paper clip between the meshed teeth as described in "Streetrodder Magazine" April 2003 issue.

On all 5 of the starters, the bendix gear teeth only cover approx. 75% of the ring gear teeth.  I have had 2 mechanics come to my house to help and after approx. 3.5 hours for the each of them, independantly, they have not been able to help.

I don't know what to do, where to turn.  I have too much money into this thing to let it go.  HELP ! !
Thanks !
. . . / DALE

[Jokester]

Did you do the paper clip test at more than one place on the flywheel?  Check it, turn the motor by hand, check it, turn, check, etc.  It's amazing how many of these flexplates are not round.  It doesn't take many thousandths out of round to really mess things up.  I had a customer bring one in once (he was the original owner of the vehicle, changed starter, and started having problems) and we put a new flywheel on top of the original and the center hole wasn't in the center.  I don't know if they're made that way, or if years of cranking distorts them.

My 2 cents.


.bjb

[Itsa37Ford]

Did you do the paper clip test at more than one place on the flywheel?  Check it, turn the motor by hand, check it, turn, check, etc.  It's amazing how many of these flexplates are not round.  It doesn't take many thousandths out of round to really mess things up.  I had a customer bring one in once (he was the original owner of the vehicle, changed starter, and started having problems) and we put a new flywheel on top of the original and the center hole wasn't in the center.  I don't know if they're made that way, or if years of cranking distorts them.

My 2 cents.


.bjb

Thanks I will give it a try.  
. . . / DALE