? on the starter ring installation

[d S coupe]

Happy Easter everybody.
Over the winter I replaced the clutch on my 1977 911. I replaced the flyweel at the same time. I put everything back together in the same place - or so I thought!!!!! Yesterday I put the engine back in the car. The bendix was slipping, so I took it out and cleaned it, put it back on the car and it works fine but won't engage on the starter ring. Here is my scary question...could I have installed the starter ring the wrong way? I feel sooooo bad.
Thanks. Dan

[john walker's workshop]

there are 3 cutouts on the ring gear to clear 3 raised round pieces on the pressure plate. the ring gear can only go on one way to clear them. do you remember lining them up?

[Rot 911]

Or you could have done like I did and install the engine with the ring gear sitting on the workbench!

[Eugene at Pelican Parts]

Make sure the nubs in this fork


Are engaging properly in the slots in this thing


If the fork is too wide, the starter will spin freely, and make a cool whirring noise. If that's happening, squeeze it down a bit in a vice so that it engages properly.

[d S coupe]

Thanks for the reply.
John, if I remember correctly I installed the ring against tne flywheel and then put on the pressure plate. So I think the ring is too far in and the bendix dosen't go far enough. I'll take the engine out tomorrow (again!).
Thanks.
Dan

[john walker's workshop]

you can see that thru the starter hole.