73AMC

Guys, my 4.8 swap in my AMC is almost ready to fire. However now Ive run into issues with my starter being too tight to my flexplate.

I have a flex plate from a 6 liter express van with the spacer attached. The starter is unknown, probably a 5.3 truck or a 4.8 truck. Well when I hit the key, the starter gear gets thrown into the flexplate and thats it.It wont retract back into the starter unless I physically turn the flexplate and converter by hand, then it will pull back.

I looked up on autozone's webpage and it lists different part numbers for 6 liter and 4.8/5.3 starters. Could this be the issue?

Ive tried shimming the starter and still doesnt budge.

Need some help guys!

-Justin

73AMC

I would like to add that the starter gear does mesh with the flex plate ring gear, but wont retract back. It also wont turn the engine over once its meshed. Any ideas?