Anyone know the best way to check lash on one of these when it's already in the car?
I have one of these: I cant get the damn stator out of the starter to check between the rings. There are a few spots my engine cranks and then slows way down like it's binding against the flexplate. My flexplate is brand new but I'm thinking its out of round.
Suggestions?

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/13000024/images/10/6562T.JPG

Not an expert but,

Put in a shim and try again. If it's too tight w/o one you can snap off the nose of the starter. If it's tight, a single shim isn't enough to cause any grinding from being too loose.

To get the solenoid to kick out the small gear, disconnect the battery cable at the starter and use a jumper to power the solenoid. If it's not spinning, the gear will most likely stay engaged at or near full extension so you can remove power and look things over (due to it being a bendix drive set-up it needs rotation to disengage). If you turn the motor over my hand, only a slight amount of rotation is required to have the drive gear disengage.

Might want to pull the plugs and spin it to see if acts the same. If not maybe timing too advanced?

I was able to jam a screwdriver in there and check it. Seemed to stick a bit when I pryed the gear to mesh with the teeth. I'm going to put a shim in there and see how it is. It has the recommended 1/8" now. Might just be a timing issue.

Any updates?? Im running into the same issues with mine.

Take the solenoid off and reinstall the starter.
You can then move the Bendix manually and feel the engagement.