Take a look at my flywheel. Bad enough to need replacing?

[scooper77515]

Previous owner stated he once thought starter was going out, bought new one, then when he went to replace it, found one of the mounting bolts was loose.

Well, I think while that bolt was loose, it nicked up the flywheel teeth.

Now, 90% of the time, maybe more, it just starts right up, but 5-10% of the time, it makes a racket and doesn't engage completely with the flywheel.

Starter looks new, I need to double check the part number and make sure it is the correct starter. The teeth on the starter look just fine.

I am wondering if starter isn't shooting the gear all the way out to fully engage with flywheel during those times it makes the racket.

There is a little bit of metal shavings below the flywheel, so you know that ain't right.

 

[Don S]

Re: Take a look at my flywheel. Bad enough to need replacing?

You may need to shim the starter out if it's a reman. The teeth on the flywheel are probably doing slight damage to the bendix on the starter each time you crank it.
The good news is, you don't have to replace the complete flywheel, only the ring gear. You can get them from NAPA.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Take a look at my flywheel. Bad enough to need replacing?

I still have to remove the engine, don't I?

Do you think I can make it through the summer, and do this as a winter project? (I know the answer..."maybe, but you might end up stuck out on the water one time...")

I assume it has been like this for the past 3 years.

I guess I better pull out THE BOOK and see what it takes to swap out that ring.

As for the starter, it looks surprisingly smooth considering the looks of the flywheel.

I am worried about that starter. It appears that only the closest half of the flywheel teeth are being engaged. Makes me think starter is wrong, or not working correctly, and not shooting out the starter gear all the way.

 

[Don S]

Re: Take a look at my flywheel. Bad enough to need replacing?

Yes you have to remove the engine to remove the flywheel, there is no informtion in any service manual on changing a ring gear.
You knock the old one off with a hammer and punch, heat the new one to around 450? and drop it on the flywheel. When it cools, it will be tight.

Do you think I can make it through the summer, and do this as a winter project?

Sorry, my crystal ball is broken.

I am worried about that starter. It appears that only the closest half of the flywheel teeth are being engaged. Makes me think starter is wrong, or not working correctly, and not shooting out the starter gear all the way.

Could be, lots of people on these forums buy parts by price alone, if it's cheap, buy it.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Take a look at my flywheel. Bad enough to need replacing?

One more thing might be important, might not.

When I first checked, I just grabbed the starter and tried to move it. It moved just a touch with pretty good pressure, maybe 20-30 lbs worth. It moved just a little, and the bolts were very tight.

On other vehicles, once the starter is tight, it is usually pretty much SOLID to the engine, with no wiggle.

I am going to go check the starter and make SURE it is the correct one.

Thanks, DonS, for being awake and helping me out!

 

[Don S]

Re: Take a look at my flywheel. Bad enough to need replacing?

It probably needs new starter bolts. They have a knurled section on the bolts that keeps them from moving around, could also be the starter holes are oversized.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Take a look at my flywheel. Bad enough to need replacing?

Starter holes oversized...I think that is probably IT!

They were pretty sloppy in there. The bolts look good.

What about this brand starter. Never heard of it (but new to boat engines). ARCO part # 30470 Marine SAE J1171 from Pensacola Florida.

I am going to look up part number and make sure it is correct for this application.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Take a look at my flywheel. Bad enough to need replacing?

OK, that is two suggestions for new bolts. Why do they need to be replaced? (Just asking to learn, not to argue.)

My Volvo dealer will not sell me a Volvo starter, says they are too expensive, but has a new (not rebuilt) starter in stock for $200. I think I will pick that up and install it, and keep the current starter as a spare on board. It works...most of the time.

I am sure they have the bolts at the dealer, as well.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Take a look at my flywheel. Bad enough to need replacing?

Ayuh,... There's nothing wrong with an Arco starter, 'n I doubt it's the wrong 1...
It also shouldn't be in anyway Loose after the bolts are tightened...

I'd grab a new set of bolts, 'n bolt it back on...
As Don said, the knurling on the bolts wears, 'n can cause a less than tight fit...

There's also a little bracket available for the forrward end of the starter, that ties it to the block, makin' it abit tighter/ snugger/ better supported fit....

Btw,... The ring gear teeth, Never fully engage the Full tooth..
Best I've ever seen is 2/3s to 3/4s of the length of the teeth...

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Take a look at my flywheel. Bad enough to need replacing?

Got new starter and bolts.

This starter the distance to the bearing at the end sticks out an extra 1/4" or so compared to old one. Parts guy says it is correct part number but most likely mislabeled at arco.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Take a look at my flywheel. Bad enough to need replacing?

OK, installed the new starter and cranked it three times in the garage, and it was silent. No noise, grinding, etc.

Won't know for sure if this fixed the issue until we take it out and start it 8-10 more times on the lake, since it didn't do it every time in the first place.

It does sound like it has more power, more torque than the one I took off. It seems to turn the engine a little faster.