I have a problem where if I let the van sit for a period of time (say a week
for example), when I first try to start it, the starter will not engage the
ring gear.  The starter works but it acts like there is a flat spot on the
ring gear or the starter gear is hitting the ring gear rather than the teeth
on the ring gear.  If I go back and turn the engine slightly, sometimes it
will then engage but not always.  In looking at the ring gear, there doesn't
appear to be much of any wear on the teeth so I am guessing that there is a
starter problem or there is some kind of an alignment problem somewhere.  In
the past, the problem that caused this was a worn trans housing bushing (the
copper bushing that goes on the end of the starter shaft) or one of the
trans to engine bolts was not tight.  Even with that, there didn't appear to
be any real wear on the starter gear or ring gear.  Once I get the starter
to engage, it is usually fine for the rest of the day.  I need some ideas on
this.  How much edge wear on the ring gear can cause this?  Is the starter
lubrication at fault?  Is there another alignment problem that I have not
considered?

William