If it's Halloween, it must be time for me to have a starter problem.

Still working on my Ironhead. You guys helped me out with a starter problem
last year and I wound up installing a new Tech Starter

Tried to start her today and she just squealed. Pulled the case and the pinion
gear is all beat up.

I have posted several photos.

1. Starter mounted and pinion extended into the ring gear.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

2. Starter removed and pinion retracted.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

3, Starter removed and pinion extended.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

4. Ring gear taken through the mounting hole for the starter. Note that the
Tech starter does not utilize the bearing you can see on the inside of the case.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

Pretty clear why she squealed.

A little more information about the engine. She's been stroked, ported, and
polished. New S&S bottom end. .10 over pistons. Dual plugged. Big valves.
Big cam (set up for a 550 lift Andrews cam – converted to 490 to be more
streetable). Karata belt drive primary and Barnett clutch.

Curious what ideas you guys might have.

A. Is there any way to adjust the throw on the Tech starter? Might not be
reaching far enough into the ring gear.

B. Has anyone had any difficulty with the pinion on the Tech starter just being
weak? Is there an alternative pinion available?

C. Has anyone milled down the mounting plate on a Tech starter to get it to
reach further into the ring gear?

D. Have I left something out of the engine that would move the ring gear closer
to the starter?

E. Is there anyway to determine that this is the correct ring gear? Last time
Richard had a thought
(http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group.../message/87770)

"Here's a weird thought. What if the starter ring gear on that belt drive clutch
drum was one for the '81 up style starter, and both starters were for the
earlier type? Might be some mismatch in the gear pitch that is causing the
binding."

F. Whatever else you can think of.

Thanks again for all your creative thinking.

Doug