Newbie with SJ problems :)

[Darrell]

The adaptor does not affect the starter / flywheel spacing. It just moves the gearbox back a few mm.

The starter still sits flush with the back of the engine as if mounted direct to the gear box.

Thinking about it your right
Sometimes I can be a right

I'm tired , maybe I should go to sleep

[ScottieJ]

In those pics you posted Darrel take not of the starters gear position in relation to the mounting face, the Sj starters gear sits a lot further back in the housing, I wouldnt be surprised if hilly's starter is constantly slightly meshed with the ring gear

Looks like you have the wrong starter hilly.

[Darrell]

Like so...........

[twiss]

Well picturised Darrell!
I've had a look at mine this morning.... I have 3 regular starters, 2 skinny mitsubishi starters, and 2 skinny valeo starter and all the gears do sit behind or level with the mounting face!

Shame they are all broken or you could have one of them!