Starter

[Tractor Rod]

I just bought a B and 50 % of the time the starter engages but the other 50% it makes a terrible grinding sound. Do I need a whole new starter? If so do I buy a 12 volt one since the system is converted or stick with a new 6 volt one?

Thanks.

[Gary Dotson]

May just need a new starter drive but look over the teeth on the flywheel ring gear, your problem might be worn ring gear teeth. Should be no need to replace the whole starter. Do you have a hand crank? If so, the next time it acts up, turn the engine about 1/4 turn and try it again. If it then cranks normally, it’s likely the ring gear. If you don’t have a hand crank, you can usually turn the engine turning the fan.

[Tractor Rod]

Thanks so much. The teeth are worn on the ring gear as you suspected. How hard is it to replace the ring gear? It will start once I crank it one quarter a turn but if I have to stop and engage the starter a 2nd time I might hit the bad teeth and have to hand crank it to a different spot. What do you suggest as next step?

Thanks again.

[Gary Dotson]

You really have no option other than splitting the tractor to get to the ring gear. Normally, one would replace the gear but there is an issue with the replacement ring gears in that they lack the chamfer on the front edge of the tooth which eases starter engagement. Instead, I would mark the orientation of the gear, relative to the flywheel, remove the gear, rotate it 90 deg. And put it back on. If you have a shop manual, it will be useful for this job.

[Gary Dotson]

By the way, a 4 cyl. Engine will have 2 worn areas on the ring gear, 3 on a 6 cyl and 4 on a v8. So, when you rotate yours 90 deg., it’s as good as a new one.