Re: starter rope not engaging Johnson TD-20 5hp 1947
I can't view your pics and it's been a while since I had the recoil apart on a TD, but I don't remember them as being very complex. Take the recoil off (the "top that fits on the motor with the rope integrated inside it"). OK. In the middle of the flywheel on the motor you have a ring with teeth on it. That's what the pawls on the recoil will egage when you pull the rope. If it isn't there then you forgot to put it back on when you put the magneto back together. It's held on by three screws that use the same holes you used to pull the flywheel off. So you took it off when you pulled the flywheel. Did you put it back on?
Turn the recoil upside down. You'll see three spring-loaded pawls hiding under three rectangular metal plates. Pull the rope. The pawls should come out of hiding and move themselves toward the center as you pull the rope. They are what engage the ring on the flywheel. If they don't move when you pull the rope then they're froze stuck. Usually just old grease does that. Spray them good with WD40 or PB Blaster or something and pull the rope some more. They should work loose. If not, mess around with them gently with a scratch awl or something to work them loose. Don't go prying anything hard. You can see how the little springs pull when you pull the rope, so help them do their job a little by gently coaxing the pawls out of their dens with the scratch awl. All three pawls should easily and effortlessly move toward the center when you pull the rope, and return to their dens when you release the rope. It's a pretty simple and foolproof setup. I wish all recoils were as simple and rugged. MAN DO I HATE RYOBI WEEDEATER RECOILS!
