Just a little background: Car wouldn't start on back from Atlantic City. Push started it and drove it back to Maine(8 hrs) Problem is starter is making spinning/wizzing sound but won't engage flywheel. Have tried 3 different starters.


Today:
As per request of a couple of people on my car not starting I took the start off and inspected the teeth on the flywheel. All the teeth on the flywheel are good. However, I can move the flywheel in and out about 1/8 making it chatter. Is this a problem? I still have no idea why my car doesn't start. Any idea would be helpful.

 

you can move the flywheel in and out through the starter hole?
thats NOT GOOD

 

yes, there shouldn't be any play with the starter

 

Yes I can move the flywheel in and out via the starter hole. What would cause the flywheel to do that?

 

the flywheel starter ring gear separated from the flywheel.........that's not good........time to replace the flywheel!

 

Would this make the car un-drivable? (I push started it and drove it 8 hrs) How could this happen? Also, I already have a comptech flywheel ready to go. I had a feeling it was something to do with the flywheel.