[Tim B.]

I tend agree with the locked starter theory group. If the starter is bad and bendix is not stuck it won't take much of a tap to free it up. You may want to invest in a nice big rubber mallet. I have a nice large mallet with a heavy fiberglas handle that has screw in soft and hard rubber head ends that works great without damaging things. Keep your blows towards the very end of the starter body where it has the most strength and not on the body of the starter that will dent. Give it medium hits alternating between top, bottom and side to rock it loose. Leave the top bolt in place but loose so the starter doesn't fall when it pops loose.