1995 Ford E Series Van Just Replaced Starter Local Parts Store New Won T Engage

1995 FORD E-SERIES VAN
200,000 MILES
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ANONYMOUS
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I just replaced the starter with a starter from the local parts store but the new starter won't engage the fly wheel. I had the new starter checked and it is working properly. When I hooked ti up to the power on my van and grounded it to see of the gear moved when I turned on the key switch, it did. However whin I bolt it up to the engine it makes a noise like it is working but it does not engage the flywheel. Any ideas on what might be the problem?
Feb 3, 2013 at 2:15 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Check the ground between the battery and the engine block. Are you sure the wiring is correct to the solenoid?
Feb 3, 2013 at 3:13 AM
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JILLADAMSDASTRUP
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As I said before when I wired it up I grounded it to test the bending gear before I bolted it up to the engine and it worked correctly. I also checked the flywheel to see if there was any damage and there wasn't. I turned the flywheel by hand to see if another area might engage. However none of these things has helped to get the starter to engage the flywheel.
When I measured the gear it appears to be about a 16th to a 32nd different placement than the original but I'm not a pro and don't know for sure.
Feb 3, 2013 at 4:47 PM
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RASMATAZ
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The clearance between the flexplate and drive pinion is too excessive-try shimming it closer using shims-trail and error till the starter engages the flexplate w/o grinding noises-
Feb 3, 2013 at 9:36 PM
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