Delco starter problem

[bob-d]

The starter on my 1964 Evinrude 28HP spins, and starts the motor fine. The problem is the starter gear does not drop down quickly enough after the motor has started, and comes in contact with the flywheel which makes a clattering noise for a few seconds. I have lightly oiled the shaft but it did not help. Is there a part in a rebuild kit that would solve this problem?
Thanks,

Bob D

 

[joecb]

something has to be binding on the fast helix thread that the pinion gear runs on. Move the pinion gear up and down the helix, look for rust , dirt or burs. There also should be a light spring that helps push the pinion down/ also keeps it down when the starter is idle.

Joe B

• This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by joecb.

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bob-d

[bob-d]

Joe, it slides up and down ok. Do you think if I replaced spring #3 that would give it back the tension to quickly push it back down?

[johnny]

I have run into this problem on several starters. I fixed them all by just cleaning off all the old oil and grease on the Bendix drive parts. When everything is  clean and dry they work perfectly.

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bob-d

[billw]

I agree that if the helix is clean and lightly lubed, it should come right down when the engine lights off. The only other thing I could possibly think of is that the SOLENOID and/or key switch is staying engaged for a few seconds? I’d hook up a volt meter to the starter stud and operate the starter, to see if the stud continues to have positive voltage after the engine fires and you let go of the key.

Long live American manufacturing!

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bob-d

[todd281]

I once had this problem and found that the lower mounting bracket was slightly bent. This caused the starter to set at a slight angle and made the bendix/starter gear to engage the flywheel too tightly. The gear would not release from the flywheel until the motor had made a few revolutions. You can check this by engaging the bendix gear manually, with a prybar, while turning the flywheel by hand to mate it. Once engaged, a slight turn of the flywheel should allow the gear to return to its resting position. Good luck.

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bob-d

[bob-d]

Ended up picking up a new starter drive assembly 385517 on EBay for $13. Why not give the 58 year old girl a few new parts, and the price was right.
Will report back when installed.

Bob D

 

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