So it fires, but it does not run, is what I am getting at this point? Do you know how long the car has been sitting for? Is it possible it needs a pull start to pop the apex seals back into place? I know when I sold mine it had been sitting for several months and needed a tow in order to return the apex seals to the correct location. Depending on HOW long its been sitting the seals may no longer be good........

 

It's been awhile since I've had a close look at a starter, but from memory I think the Bendix gear shaft can be lubed to allow free travel and eliminate binding so it can throw out/release after the key's released.

I hope this helps

 

Just had another thought too... I wonder if the ring gear's damaged/worn in such a way that it pulls the gear in more than it can pull back?

Sound wierd I know, but stranger thinks have happened!

 

my sons had a simaler problem after atf the motor would turn but not fire we
checked the compresion the front rotor was good but the back one had almost no
compresion instead of pulling it I put about a third of a quart of castrol 20/50 in
the rear rotor and let it sit for a few days T went out after that and it fired right
up he didn't even know what I had done