Wrong flywheel/Starter?

[73-Charger-Canada]

Hi guys, I've run into a bit of a snag, hoping you guys can help me out. I put my fresh built 440 into my 73 charger a few months ago now, but just got around to putting on accessories, fluids etc last week to try and start it up. I hit the key and just get the starter turning with no engagement. Here's the problem... I'm using a 10.5" flywheel and a lakewood safety bellhousing that I got used. I was told that the bellhousing could be used with either flywheel, but I only see one spot for the starter to go. I've seen a starter adapter kit for these bellhousings, but if I understand correctly, some of these bellhousings can't be used with the smaller flywheel at all. Does anyone have any experience with these lakewood bellhousings? any tips from anyone regarding the situation? I really want to avoid pulling the motor and everything again if I can. Is there a 10.5" starter that's different somehow? anyway, appreciate the help guys. I'm hoping that the only suggestion isn't swap the flywheel!!

[birdsandbees]

Mine (bought in 1978) has two sets of holes to mount a starter and the starter "nose cup" has two spots to be bolted in place, so you can use it for either flywheel.

[73-Charger-Canada]

thanks very much for the picture! I think that will help identify the problem. I don't think mine has two separate mounting positions, but I will put the car up on stands and check it out. Also, you mention that the housing has two starter nose cups that you bolt the nose into... You don't actually bolt anything into the nose of the starter, right? There are only the two starter bolts (or studs) that hold the starter in?

[birdsandbees]

See the cup in the bellhousing?.. the nose of the starter locates in it, no extra bolts. That cup, on mine anyhow, has two locations it can be bolted into. You can see the other bolt hole beside it for the smaller flywheel. I'm running an 11" clutch.

[73-Charger-Canada]

OK... Damn.  My bellhousing doesn't have the cup for the nose, it just has an open hole for the nose of the starter to go through.  Could potentially mean that the starter is too far into the housing, and therefore missing the flywheel entirely (because I'm missing the cup) or that the bellhousing is meant only for the 11 inch. Which sucks. Any thoughts?

[birdsandbees]

Well there's no way the starter can go into the housing too far, since the flanges stop it at the bell housing face.

Like I said, I bought this Lakewood second hand in 1978 or 1979 after one of my girlfriends brothers lost his right foot in his Goat from his flywheel assembly exploding through the floor. Yours may be newer (I'm sure it is...) and mfg'd differently.

[73-Charger-Canada]

OK,  so it's just not lined up. Is that bellhousing in your car? Or sitting around the shop? Would you be interested in sale/trade? Might be the only way to solve my conundrum here is to switch to a different bellhousing. Let me know by PM. I'll continue to look at other solutions

[birdsandbees]

Nope, it's going back in my car on reassembly... I walk bad enough now and want to keep my right foot! 

[73-Charger-Canada]

My thoughts exactly! That's why I went with this one instead of the normal bellhousing.  Shame I can't just swap the starter nose (like on a chevy. ..) I'll get it figured out somehow!

[John_Kunkel]

OK... Damn.  My bellhousing doesn't have the cup for the nose, it just has an open hole for the nose of the starter to go through. 

The early Lakewoods were flywheel specific, later on they made them so either flywheel would work.

[birdsandbees]

"Later on".. how long they been making them, mine's from pre '78 as I bought it used back then.  

[John_Kunkel]

I purchased the 6th Lakewood BB housing made in '70. It was for the 130-tooth flywheel.

[73-Charger-Canada]

I see, well that just shows you how important research is when buying parts. I'm wondering now what the best course of action is. As I understand it, there are 11" flywheels that I can buy that have bolt patterns for both 10.5" and 11" clutches. It would be preferable to me to just use the same clutch if I can, it's brand new. Probably easier to get a new flywheel than bellhousing you think? less expensive anyhow, and either way, it's going to be a bunch of work to switch everything over. possible to change the flywheel without pulling the engine? anyone tried it with just the trans out? That day won't be a lot of fun.

[73-Charger-Canada]

Oh and also! There seems to be two different 11" flywheels, the 143 tooth and the 172 tooth. Just so I don't screw anything else up, which should I go for?

[John_Kunkel]

The 172-tooth flywheel was Hemi only, 143 is for the '66-'69 440.

[73-Charger-Canada]

ok great, thank you. The start i have (10 tooth) appears to work for both the 130 and 143 tooth flywheel, but I'd have to swap with a different starter if I went with the 172. So that's a clear decision. I think the problem comes down to this: Get an 11" flywheel to match the bellhousing OR get a 71-74 big block bellhousing designed to use the smaller flywheel. Either way, separate trans and motor and alter the components in between them. Thanks everyone for your help.