742b

[don701]

Having trouble with my starting. Innitially the starter would occasionally not catch and just spin. It has gotten progressively worse and now almost never catches. The starter has been rebuilt once and the problem went away for a bit but returned in the exact same manner. I've been told that there are probably teeth missing on my flywheel and need to fix it. I've also been told that the flywheel does not have to be replaced but has teeth in sections bolted on. Another told me that the engine does not have to be removed but the teeth can be replaced through the starter slot. Now that I've been told alot I figured to come here where I've seen plenty of good knowledge and ask what is true? Also, wonder where I can get service, repair, etc manuals for this machine.

 

[brettk1]

I own and am currently rebuilding a 642b with a mitsubishi engine (4g32). I can definetly say that the flywheel does not have replaceable teeth. So if you have this engine removal will be necessary to replace the flywheel. It isn't too hard to remove (2 to 3 hours for me) and I am not in a hurry lol.

 

[jerry]

Most flywheels on gas engines have a shrink fit ring gear on the flywheel and that is the starter gear. They are not hard to remove and replace and depending on the design and budget you may be able to remove it and flip it around and reinstall it. It does sound more like a sticky starter drive though. you can see the flywheel teeth with the starter out and if they look good, clean the starter drive up and put on a light lubricant if any and try again. Any heavy oil will cause the drive to hang up in cold weather and collect dirt. jerry

 

[Tazza]

Most flywheels on gas engines have a shrink fit ring gear on the flywheel and that is the starter gear. They are not hard to remove and replace and depending on the design and budget you may be able to remove it and flip it around and reinstall it. It does sound more like a sticky starter drive though. you can see the flywheel teeth with the starter out and if they look good, clean the starter drive up and put on a light lubricant if any and try again. Any heavy oil will cause the drive to hang up in cold weather and collect dirt. jerry

I'd remove the starter then feel if the teeth are still there, rotate the engine by hand and feel again, see i fyou can go all the way around, this will save you pulling the engine out.
The problem really does sound like a sticky starter not pushing the bendix gear all the way forward to engage the ring gear on the fly wheel.
From memory, the ring gear can be replaced but the engine will need to be pulled.