I tried using 3 0.42" shims on the starter and the rotor that drives the flex plate,fly wheel will not disengage. From the looks of it when i try and turnover the motor its not grabbing the teeth. When I turn the key in the off position the starter has not disengaed. Should I try more shims or could it be that the motor is tileted slightly from not having a tranny behind it to straiten it out?.

 

Ttt

 

Not having a tranny shouldnt be the issue, the starter is bolted to the block and will move with the motor whichever way it goes.

 

Im open for suggestions.

Do I just keep ading shims until it engages/disengages correctly?. Ive tried two differnt startes and both do the same thing.

 

if the motor does not start, you can not just the starter by the gear staying in the flywheel teeth, friction alone can keep it there

 

i'm not understanding the problem. You say it is not grabbing the teeth and then you say it will not disengage. Maybe try explaining the problem a little more. You say you are using 3 shims that are .42" thick? that is almost an inch and a half of shims. Is the starter gear even coming close to the flywheel?

 

you might have the wrong starter/flexplate or starter/flywheel combination. there are two sizes of flexplates and flywheels, 153 tooth and 168 tooth versions, and not all starters work with both.