I've been running a CVR Protorque starter on my '86 Corvette for years now. First with the original DNE 4+3 (basically a Borg Warner Super T10), and then with a T56 with the reverse style Camaro clutch and flywheel. I recently swapped in an older 2pc RMS 400 block with a conversion Fidenza flywheel (mates an 2pc RMS engine to the Camaro clutch). Test fitting the starter I noticed the pinion gear stays stuck out (engaged) when I spin the motor over (no spark plugs in). I've shimmed to starter out several times from as little as .020 pinion clearance to .070 clearance (CVR recommends .025 - .060) It still stays engaged. I've measured the teeth between the old Camaro flywheel and the new Fidenza, they seem about the same. i have over 1/16" distance between the pinion and the flywheel when disengaged

I've read somewhere that on gear reductions starters the pinion likes to stay engaged until the engine starts. Is this true? Does the engine have to fire up to release the pinion?

 

Thats the way mine works.