6 HP Starter Pull Problems (Picts & Vids)

Howdy all, just found this huge forum; this is great! I've read through 10 pages of posts just checking everything out, amazing stuff going on here. I hate becoming a member of forums just to ask a question... but that's how it usually starts!

OK, here is my problem.
1978 (I think) 6HP Johnson SeaHorse, Model 6RL78B, Serial J4927354

I am very crafty when it comes to all things mechanical, but I have NEVER worked on a boat motor! I also don't know where to buy parts, etc etc. I always tinker with things, but this motor came with my Catalina 22', and it's just worked- so I didn't tempt the engine gods, and never messed with it. It does require 'engine cocaine' for it to start- 1 shot of ether and it fires right up. no ether, and it is almost impossible to start. I'm not worried about that problem as much...

but this one...

my pull starter gear (black) is not meshing with the flywheel enough, and rounding the teeth off, and the engine and gear 'lock' up (the incorrect meshing sticks the two together)

The problem most likely is the pull starter being pulled on so often, that it has worn out the top black 'guide plate'; the piece that the white cord winder is centered with. by it wearing out, the cord winder can move away from the flywheel. The videos below will show this perfectly. I need to correct the wobbliness.

Here are my options, tell me where I'm right and wrong:
-(cheap, wrong) take the black 'guide plate' off, and reem out one of the two screw holes, then installing it closer to the flywheel, and tightening it A LOT so it forces the starter gear closer to the flywheel. (this may not work since the non-starting position may hit the flywheel; bad)
-buy a new something to fix this (best)


Do they still sell things that'll fix this? does this happen often?

Thanks for helping out a newbie.

Pictures:
Left Side http://hunterhicks.com/boat/IMG_3729.jpg
Right Side http://hunterhicks.com/boat/IMG_3730.jpg
Pull Starter http://hunterhicks.com/boat/IMG_3732.jpg
Black Gear with worn teeth http://hunterhicks.com/boat/IMG_3733.jpg
Model/Serial # http://hunterhicks.com/boat/IMG_3736.jpg

Movies of the problem:
(11.25 megs avi, nice big 20 sec. showing the problem) http://hunterhicks.com/boat/engine3.avi
(1.65 megs quicktime, same as above, but MOV & smaller, 20 sec. showing the problem) http://hunterhicks.com/boat/engine1.mov
(2.8 megs avi, turn your head sideways, 6 sec showing routed out frame) http://hunterhicks.com/boat/engine2.avi



hunter

'78 catalina 22'
6HP Johnson that doesn't want to start

Re: 6 HP Starter Pull Problems (Picts & Vids)

I was going to fuss at you and tell you to run down to your friendly dealer and get the new parts. Till I found out the plate is N/A. The interlock plate is part number 390034, changed to 398683. The pinion gear is 318447 (available).

Try sea-way.com for the obsolete part.

Re: 6 HP Starter Pull Problems (Picts & Vids)

Great, I just put in a parts request with sea-way on those part numbers. Does this 'just happen' over time? since there are no bearings, I would assume so.

Re: 6 HP Starter Pull Problems (Picts & Vids)

Great, they have a part for me.

Question: if you watch the videos, you'll see me move the pinion gear assembly back and forth, but I don't remember if I wiggled it side to side... I'm assuming that this much movement is not normal- but maybe it is, and I have a problem somewhere else?

thanks!

Re: 6 HP Starter Pull Problems (Picts & Vids)

as bad as that is, it looks like it may be the wrong plate and/or spindle.
has this been replaced before ?

check ebay. search for recoil and/or rewind.
i saw one about a month ago high bid was $20 for the whole recoil.

Re: 6 HP Starter Pull Problems (Picts & Vids)

Right, good to hear it's bad. I'll order the new 'top' for it. Little scarce on ebay at the moment, but a full unit did go for $40 a while back. That would be the way to go. But I'm American, I need it now.

I'm interested in hearing other's comments about it

Re: 6 HP Starter Pull Problems (Picts & Vids)

To finish up this thread, it was the 'top plate', it was worn out. after years of pulling, it made the circle into an oval, and pulled away from the starting teeth. The new plate made it good as new.