I just put in a rebuilt engine (old starter). The starter gear seams to be dragging on the flywheel. It will turn the engine over easy but my guess is that it is not retracting.

Could I have missed a shim or maybe it needs some lube.

Any other ideas; taking this starter out is not fun so I wouls like to minimize my troubleshooting.

Thanks

1990 3.0 liter 4X4

 

Just went through this on my 1990 4-runner - I loosened the bolts and then removed one bolt at a time - I placed a 3/8" washer between the starter and the bell housing and reinstalled the bolt - worked perfectly for me.
This was on myn old starter - on a new engine.
Tight fit ain't it ?