Exploding starters

[Kubes]

Before I replaced the Lower and upper intake gaskets, plugs and wire etc etc I had no starting issues, car even ran okay
i bought this car a couple months ago and I found out later it mostly sat in barn for years
when I went to start the car after doing all the above the starter engaged for a milli second then a thud
oh also I did a A/C delete and had to do a different belt route, but like I said the engine I hand turned the engine with no problems
When I removed the original starter the inside gears were destroyed.
I spun the engine by hand a couple times to check if maybe a had dropped a bolt and it jammed somewhere
The next starter did exactly the same thing, a click and a thud
the third starter turned the engine over for a few seconds then a louder thud

Any ideas, I’m stumped especially since nothing down there was touched
Will a mis alignment of the starter be the problem, but original starter worked fine before the job started
Flywheel was checked for damage, none found, the plastic internal starter gear failed the first time so I doubt any damage to flywheel

I’m walking away from this one until I can figure out a different direction

thanks

[ssms5411]

Since they sit flush and there’s no shims , I would say flywheel, something’s not right, no teeth missing? Have someone turn the crank and have someone look at the flywheel to make sure it’s not bent. Never know what someone has done to it before you got it.

[Kubes]

Since they sit flush and there’s no shims , I would say flywheel, something’s not right, no teeth missing? Have someone turn the crank and have someone look at the flywheel to make sure it’s not bent. Never know what someone has done to it before you got it.

Yea, that’s what I’m hoping, that it’s just a flywheel and not a damaged engine
im not capable to do that in my driveway, so I’ll call my shop to book an appointment

thanks

[ssms5411]

Did you check the starters manually? I’d have Autozone or just jump them yourself to see if they still work. I’ve done mine before when my positive wire on the starter was bad. Now I have extra starter. Lol
yeah if your making a full rotation at the crank and not hearing anything or binding you should be good engine wise. Also check your vacuum lines since you had it apart, if it line was off or a big crack in the line it would have the same effect. Good luck.

[Kubes]

Yup, the starter guy showed me the drive gear extending and spinning before install
i may need shims they say you don’t need them but if the starter is not correctly engaging the flywheel you can run into binding of the gears when the flywell gets rolling

It’s going to my regular shop, they have knowledgeable mechanic there

[ssms5411]

That’s good, has to be something with the flywheel then. I’m glad you have a shop you can trust, hard to find nowadays. Let us know what they say.

[Kubes]

Crossing my fingers