Pulled starter, found something weird

[BenM]

Need some advice here...

As a refresher when I pulled the starter the engine just clicked and wouldn't turn over. I tested all the electrical connections and verified it was getting power. Decided to rebuild the starter.

So I pulled the starter out just now and was looking at the threads, just to see. Everything looked good! Went to look at the flywheel and there's something sitting against the flywheel. I reach in and pull it out. I don't know what it is or where it came from. Here are pics:

by the starter for size comparison:


Closeups of each side of the mystery item:



That red spot looks like the same red paint as the tractor. I put the caliper to it and it comes in at about 5/32 inch thick, its not metal, feels like a gasket but would be a thick gasket if that's what it is.

After these pictures I was thinking if this wedged itself between the starter and the flywheel then that could prevent it from turning over. I put the starter back on and it cranked right up. Its been sitting for about 3 weeks now so there was a lot of smoke at first but after 10 or 15 minutes things were looking good. I thought I would try to drive it. It died when I pushed the clutch in and when I tried to start it again it just clicked again and wouldn't turn over, just like before.

I am starting to think now there's more debris in there and I don't really have a starter issue at all.
Question time:
Anyone have any idea what this is or where it came from?
I am thinking of trying to clean everything out, oil change, get in there with something to try to remove any big pieces that might be in there. Any recommendations on this?
Any advice on where to go next would be appreciated, never run into something like this before.

[Slim140]

Take the inspection cover off the bottom and have another look, may be more of whatever it is laying in the bottom.

[Jim Becker]

Try cleaning all the fuzz and crud off the object to get a better shot at knowing what it might be.

[ScottyD'sdad]

Part of the clutch facing?
Ed

[Don McCombs]

Fossilized mouse?

[staninlowerAL]

If you can, have the armature checked for a "dead spot". If the armature stops on the "dead spot" it will not turn when you try to crank the motor. I have a cub 6v starter that has the "dead spot" and I'm looking for a replacement armature. New ones are available but pricey.

[Glen]

Hi,
There is usually a lot of old dirt and grease inside a Cub clutch housing if it has never been apart. The item could be some old hard grease, I can't tell without being there.

Here is a page from the Cub parts manual showing the 6 volt starter, if you need it.

http://www.farmallcub.info/manuals/cub_ ... 008-10.jpg

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Part of an oil soaked mud dauber nest?

[Crimson Tim]

This is starting to sound like a competition. Is there a prize for the right answer?

[pickerandsinger]

[quote="ScottyD'sdad"]Part of the clutch facing?......... ....Or maybe gasketoons or seals that live in the proximity......
Ed[/quote

[Eugene]

Take the inspection cover off the bottom and have another look, may be more of whatever it is laying in the bottom.

Remove the plate covering the lower front of the torque tube. You will probably find the area behind the plate full of oil and grease soaked debris.

[Matt Kirsch]

I'm gonna go basic here and say you've got a battery cable connection problem or a starter switch problem. They can work fine sometimes but the next time you try, nothing.

You also can't tell a thing about a starter by simply looking at it, unless it's REALLY bad. I'm talking brushes worn so bad the screws are poking through and gouging up the commutator.