Flywheel missing teeth

[erice]

I have 99 grand prix 3.8 with 220k miles on it. I was replacing the starter because it was acting weird. Removed old and about to but new one on. Then I noticed the 4 teeth missing on the fly wheel where the starter gears would line up too... Is possible to turn the wheel so I could get it started? I only need to drive this car a few more months and I don't want to replace the fly wheel.

[indygrandprix]

Turn the engine over with an extension and a breaker bar. 4 teeth may be too much missing tho. All you can do is bump the engine forward a little with the breaker bar and try to start it. You may end up ruining the teeth on the starter tho.

[erice]

thanks for the quick reply. I'm not sure how to turn the engine over with an extension and breaker bar. I couldn't fine anything on google either. I'm ok with ruining the starter if there is a chance to get a few more months or weeks out of old reliable

[dsmuts]

Put a socket on the crank bolt and turn it with a breaker bar.

[Scottydoggs]

then keep that breaker bar with you at all times cause its possible that it will turn off and the teeth will fall short of a full turn to turn the engine over to fire up. aka stop turning the engine when cranking it over.

the starter teeth pull in and away from the fly wheel when its not in use, so the fly wheel wont hit it when your turning the balancer bolt to move the fly wheel a inch or 2.

[BillBoost37]

If you try hard..you can often do it by the belts.. Yes I have.

Just keep in mind that anytime the engine stops right there, you will need to do the same.