starter clutch spins but doesn't engage fly wheel

[Haas]

Greetings All,

I am new to this forum. I've been working on a 1977 XLCR for a bit and have reached a wall on my starter clutch gear not engaging with the ring gear.

The starter relay, starter motor, starter solenoid, and starter clutch and gear are all new. The battery is new also.

When I push the starter button, the starter clutch gear spins, and the gear is moved forward toward the ring gear - but it doesn't engage. It spins along the backside of the ring gear.

I have looked at this from every angle and researched it quite a bit. It has me beat right now.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Ed Haas

[JB in NC]

Assure that both legs of the starter drive shift lever are engaged in the slot in the shaft collar. Assure that the components are assembled in the proper order on the solenoid plunger. The spring goes next to the retainer on the end. If all that is correct, the drive should have enough travel to engage the ring gear.

How are you observing the operation of the drive? If you engage the starter without the primary cover installed, it won't work, and you can cause damage to the drive. (The jackshaft MUST have the support of the outboard bearing in the cover.)

Jim