Hi all, NewGuy here. I’ve searched the forums but couldn’t find a good answer to my issue. I’ll give you some details first:
- My car is a 97 eclipse GS 4g63 N/A that had a broken 7 bolt (RIP) to which I already installed a 6 bolt.
- The 6 Bolt came from a Plymouth Laser RS also 4G63 N/A.

My issue was in trying to get the car running. The starter wasn’t working so I tried to manually make it work by using a screwdriver to activate it. It did work so there must be another problem (elétricas) but this is not my issue.
When the starter activated, it didn’t engage with the flywheel. From the threads that I read about 6 bolt swaps I am supposed to use the 1G engine with the 2G gearbox, which I did. I am confused as to why the flywheel seems to be shorter than it should. I have no idea what to do from here since that’s the only 6 bolt I have. I didn’t take the gearbox off yet and I don’t have photos of the flywheel so I’m lacking some specs. If anyone can help with the info I gave would be nice. I will probably be taking off the gearbox later next week so by then I should have more info. Thanks in advance.

I believe the fly wheels for the FWD and the AWD are different sizes. And do you have a GST or GSX, you said you have a 97 GS? Is it a spyder? I am unfamiliar with the spyder trim levels.

A 97 GS can't support a 4g63 without a good bit of fabrication in the engine bay. (Unless we are talking later model Evo engines)

I believe the starter itself and starter plate are both different

609DSM said:

I believe the fly wheels for the FWD and the AWD are different sizes. And do you have a GST or GSX, you said you have a 97 GS? Is it a spyder? I am unfamiliar with the spyder trim levels.

A 97 GS can't support a 4g63 without a good bit of fabrication in the engine bay. (Unless we are talking later model Evo engines)

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Since I took the 6 bolt from a FWD car I’d guess the flywheel is FWD but I do remember it to be a bit smaller than the 7 bolt flywheel.
My car is an European spec GS. They came stock with the 4g63 N/A instead of the 420A.
The 6 bolt was a bolt on with no issues except this one.
Was trying to find the answer before taking the gearbox off again but I guess it’ll have to be done to measure the flywheel and check everything correctly. Thank you for your input brother.

TK's9d2TSi said:

I believe the starter itself and starter plate are both different

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From what I read the starter should be the same and the plate is different from the 1G but I also read that I am supposed to use the plate that fits my tranny. Correct me if I’m wrong though. Thank you

Ah crap thats right the euro came with the 4g63 platform! Sorry! And I can't offer much help other than researching the size of your flywheel are correct for the application.

609DSM said:

Ah crap thats right the euro came with the 4g63 platform! Sorry! And I can't offer much help other than researching the size of your flywheel are correct for the application.

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Yeah I will definitely have to take the tranny out I guess. If I’m correct the AWD flywheel should be 106 teeth and the FWD should be 110 right?
Also do I have to buy a new clutch if I happen to have the AWD flywheel or can I use the same on both flywheels?

don't know the actual number of teeth unfortunately but I know there is a difference!

I'm not sure, I think you might need a new assembly all together but I could easily be wrong.

609DSM said:

I'm not sure, I think you might need a new assembly all together but I could easily be wrong.

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Thank you for your help man. I will wait for more input on this from other members and will keep looking for info myself.

DSMNewGuy said:

Thank you for your help man. I will wait for more input on this from other members and will keep looking for info myself.

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Hey no problem, that's what this site is for! Hopefully someone with a more extensive knowledge can chime in and we both can learn a little something haha.

Use the plate from your original engine. Count the teeth on your original flywheel. Is your original flywheel stepped or flat?

For European DSMs, a GS had a non-turbo 4g63, still FWD. It really sounds like you have an AWD flywheel and it's just too short for the starter to spin it.

609DSM said:

I am unfamiliar with the spyder trim levels.

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All spyders have a 4g6x engine. The GS has a 4g64, and GST has 4g63. No 2G spyder ever got sold with the 420A engine.

There are two different versions of starters, a long nose and a short nose, it sounds like you need the long nose one, the parts stores books are wrong also, the manufacturers only list one starter and it ends up causing problems half of the time, either the engine wont rev after a starter replacement because the starter wont disengage, or the starter wont touch the flywheel, go to the parts store and have them pull out different 4g63 and 4g64 versions of starter and lay them on the counter and buy the longest nose one that they have, have them pull out auto and stick, awd and fwd, first gen and second gen etc.

Yes the smaller AWD flywheel has 106 teeth and the larger FWD has 110 teeth. They use different starter plates too to line up the starter with the flywheel. You can count the teeth by removing the tranny access plate on the bottom or through the starter hole.

motomattx said:

There are two different versions of starters, a long nose and a short nose, it sounds like you need the long nose one, the parts stores books are wrong also, the manufacturers only list one starter and it ends up causing problems half of the time, either the engine wont rev after a starter replacement because the starter wont disengage, or the starter wont touch the flywheel, go to the parts store and have them pull out different 4g63 and 4g64 versions of starter and lay them on the counter and buy the longest nose one that they have, have them pull out auto and stick, awd and fwd, first gen and second gen etc.

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That is pretty good info I legit didn't know there were 2 versions of starters but that's something really hard to find in my country. No parts store have eclipse parts, they can only order parts if the clients wish for that but even then there are some parts they just refuse to even try. Portugal sucks to rebuild a DSM .

pauleyman said:

Use the plate from your original engine. Count the teeth on your original flywheel. Is your original flywheel stepped or flat?

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I did use that plate, it still wouldn't connect. As for stepped or flat I'm not sure I know what you mean. Will have to research a little more.

spyderdrifter said:

For European DSMs, a GS had a non-turbo 4g63, still FWD. It really sounds like you have an AWD flywheel and it's just too short for the starter to spin it.
All spyders have a 4g6x engine. The GS has a 4g64, and GST has 4g63. No 2G spyder ever got sold with the 420A engine.

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luv2rallye said:

Yes the smaller AWD flywheel has 106 teeth and the larger FWD has 110 teeth. They use different starter plates too to line up the starter with the flywheel. You can count the teeth by removing the tranny access plate on the bottom or through the starter hole.

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Mine is indeed a 106 teeth flywheel so AWD it is. I'm now in the process of looking for a new flywheel and was trying to avoid spending 500€ in a fidanza flywheel but might just have to do it.

Thank you for all the replies and sorry for late reply.

Since we're already here, anyone has any idea what could be the reason for my starter not working with the turn of the key?
It's not battery, it's not fuses, and the connections seem to be all in the right place. Could it be due to alarm systems? It had, and still has installed a Gemini alarm. I don't know anything about those systems I just know the brand is Gemini. If anyone want to hint at what could be I'm all ears.

Thank you very much ya'll.

It could be an ignition issue or NSS possibly. Not sure on the alarm aspect, i guess it depends on how the alarm works and is hooked up. I would check that out.

What does it do when you turn the key?

For the starter issues, we need more info then just it doesn’t work.

You said everything is ok, but what is everything specifically, what have you test, have you check current/continuity from the switch, the relay, the safety switch etc, etc.

You have to tell us what you test and what you found when doing it, so we know what signal or voltage you are receiving on each test, to know exactly what the problem could of be.

It could be the clutch switch.

Are you needing a FWD flywheel then? I have a few, could sell you one. PM if interested.

lasershark said:

It could be an ignition issue or NSS possibly. Not sure on the alarm aspect, i guess it depends on how the alarm works and is hooked up. I would check that out.

What does it do when you turn the key?

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miguelmcv said:

For the starter issues, we need more info then just it doesn’t work.

You said everything is ok, but what is everything specifically, what have you test, have you check current/continuity from the switch, the relay, the safety switch etc, etc.

You have to tell us what you test and what you found when doing it, so we know what signal or voltage you are receiving on each test, to know exactly what the problem could of be.

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Took that advice and while gathering more data to post here I found out a broken wire in the starter wiring. Re-wired that and it worked like a charm, now I have starter response, only the flywheel issue to solve now. Thank you very much.

motomattx said:

It could be the clutch switch.

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Checked it out and found that my pedal has a hole so the switch is never pressed. Thank you for the info though.

spyderdrifter said:

Are you needing a FWD flywheel then? I have a few, could sell you one. PM if interested.

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Already did mate. Waiting on your response.


Since the issue is solved I’m not sure how it works now, if the thread will be closed or not but thank you all for the input. It was very helpful. Cheers

At the top of the thread (right hand side) there is a thread tool box, click on it and it shows you options, so just click on the RESOLVED and you are set.

miguelmcv said:

At the top of the thread (right hand side) there is a thread tool box, click on it and it shows you options, so just click on the RESOLVED and you are set.

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Just checked it and I found the “thread tools” on the right hand corner but the only options it gives me is to edit the title or to unwatch the thread. Not sure if I’m doing something wrong

Yes básica you are going to edit the title to mark as solved. So click on edit title and it will show you the RESOLVED.

miguelmcv said:

Yes básica you are going to edit the title to mark as solved. So click on edit title and it will show you the RESOLVED.

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You’re right. My bad. Thank you so much man.