starter makes a clunk sound, like the gear smacking the flywheel or something,

i replaced the starter and with all the plugs out it still does the same thing, any ideas?

wiring going to the starter all looks good,..

 

You sure the starter is spaced right? could be that it's not quite getting the gears all the way onto the flywheel.

 

Is the battery fully charged?

 

You are right, it's likely that the bendix is hitting the flywheel teeth and not engaging fully.
I'd remove the inspection cover and check it visually while engaging the starter (probably safer with disabled ignition and a remote switch). The starter would need to be shimmed then.

Lou

 

Did you turn the motor by hand to see if its locked up or binding?