Hi guys,
Been awhile since my last posting. Used the 62 dump last summer to move a lot of earth with no real problems. Went to start it for the first time the other day and found the starter solenoid wasn't working. After removing it and cleaning all surfaces, solenoid worked. Now the starter could be heard whirring but not engaging the flywheel. Tried tapping it with a tack hammer and repeatedly hitting the key to see if something would loosen up but no luck. Removed starter and found wierd pull type bendix on the end of the armature shaft. Never saw this type before but after a thorough cleaning it loosened up. Problem now is the starter gear is fully extended and won't retract. It seems to be locked in the extention position. Is there some sort of centrifugal lock that is released once the engine starts or is this a problem I'm looking at. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Scott

 

Not a 100% on this but I think you need a new starter drive. I belive that once they are dissasembled they are basicly screwed up. Someone may know a procedure for reseting them though.

 

In my experience, they only retract after being spun hard enough by the engine starting. Seems like I have manually retracted them, but it's been years and I can't recall. I usually bolt them on engaged and start the engine.

Jim

 

Thanks guys,
I'll try bolting it up and see if the starter retracts after the engine fires. If not, I envision the sound of something like a supercharger whine in the background. Let hope not.

Scott

 

A tip from John, The Hoosier Huricane, on the Y-Block site.

"Let me guess. You were playing with the starter before you installed it and got the drive gear into the "crank" position, and now it only ratchets one way and won't retract. That restricts the room you have to work with. When I run into that, I hold the starter teeth against my spinning wire brush on the bench grinder so that it ratchets. If the brush is large enough and fast enough, the starter drive will retract and help tremendously when you install the starter."

 

Agree with Charlie, or John, or?? Please make sure to use eye protection when doing this, I suggest both safety goggles and face shield.

 

Thanks for the help guys. As it turns out, I installed the starter as Jim had suggested and started the engine. I guess it retracted as normal seeing as there was no sound of a starter being spun to destruction. I'm glad someone else confirmed the wire wheel theory. I was thinking there had to be some sort of centrifugal catch in the drive seeing as there were no electrical components. Lacking any other means to spin the drive up to engine rpms I tried the wire wheel on the bench grinder. Unfortunately my anemic craftsman 1/3 hp proceeded to bog down before reaching the speed necessary to retract the drive. If nothing else, I cleaned the drum on the drive pretty good. So we're back in business. Thanks again.

Scott

 

Glad it worked out Scott! I have had this happen on more than one occasion and never any real drama.

Jim