From time to time when I hit the key it just taps hard, solenoid shoots the gear forward nice and hard but it won't mesh teeth with the flexplate and turn over, turn the crank pully a small amount and fires right off.
I would shim it but it doesn't bolt on like a Chevy, starter gear is beveled but I haven't yet looked at the teeth on flexplate yet to see if there's anything messed up there, when it does engage it turned over nice.
New 1000 CA / 870 CCA battery that's right at 13v.
New solenoid.
Totally disassemble and cleaned the starter. And it's the gear reduction one.
Makes me think starter gear is hanging up on the flexplate ?

Anyone have this problem and know a trick or solution ?

That has been cables and the terminals i have found. Take the cables loose, clean them, brush the not and use acstar washer, then wire brush the threads and contact point on the starter itself.

All connections are clean and tight. About to go over to a baddies and remove the starter and inspect things. Update later.

Teeth on flexplate have definite signs of peening on the face and a bur on the side. Starter teeth peened on the front and wore on the one side, dremeled a bevel and it starts easy as before.
Sooo. I get to tiddy up the flexplate per tooth. From under the truck, starter gear off and do a better job on it and done deal. Pain In the neck, yes, but free.