770 Monte Carlo starter bendix gear

[Damian]

The starter motor spins then engages the bendix gear which slides forwards and interlocks with the teeth on the fly wheel, but then all that happens is the startor motor keeps spinning. The bendix will not turn the flywheel. I can rotat the gear that is supposed to rotate the flywheel by hand. Should I be able to do this? If I need a new bendix is the only way to get the fly wheel off is to use a fly wheel puller? I do not have one. Hwo do I know if the bendix is bad?

[Jeff Walkowiak]

did you try lubing it with penetrating oil and get it to free up it may just be stuck in the retracted mode

[Damian]

The bendix is not stick it won't turn flywheel. It engages and disengages. In the out position the starter gear rotates the first gear but not second