Ring gear teeth

[mrbenn]

Hello folks.

Apologies in advance for asking what I'm sure to some is an obvious question.

Please could someone have a look at the following pictures and tell me if the ring gear pictured is servicable? Wear is similar all the way around.

Many thanks.

[philthehill]

The ring gear shown is serviceable.

[mrbenn]

Thank you, much appreciated.

[taupe]

Now lets see the teeth on your starter

Im just about to replace a starter ring but whilst mine is rather a lot more worm than yours it would probably still have been usable were it not for this missing tooth!

ring gear 001.jpg (1.8 MiB) Viewed 1759 times

ring gear 002.jpg (1.79 MiB) Viewed 1759 times

This is from the replacement engine I was given recently by a member on here which Im so grateful for... Its generally in great condition other than a few minor items like this..

Taupe

[mrbenn]

Yes shame about the missing tooth!

Photo of the starter teeth hopefully attached. I think this one is ok but I was planning to rebuild another starter with new bendix/gear and fit that when the engine goes back in. As an aside, this starter appears to have been contaminated by a leaking heater valve gasket.

[philthehill]

mrben
The starter Bendix is serviceable.
It needs a good clean to get rid of the oil. Once clean do not lubricate.
You will need a special tool to remove the Bendix if you decide to go that route. Any other method of removing the Bendix is dangerous as there is a lot of pent up energy in the fitted spring.

taupe
Way back we used to turn the flywheel through 90 degrees as the starter mostly works on the same part of the starter ring.
There are no worries with the balance as the flywheel were factory balanced on a dummy rig so the flywheels are balanced in their own right.
Turning the flywheel enabled an extra three bites of the cherry (flywheel).

[taupe]

Indeed.....Roy would have turned 90 deg and welded up the missing tooth. ..I found an old stock ring for £21 delivered and have a thermostatically controlled electric kiln in the workshop for fitting so may as well fit new...

Taupe

[mrbenn]

mrben
The starter Bendix is serviceable.
It needs a good clean to get rid of the oil. Once clean do not lubricate.
You will need a special tool to remove the Bendix if you decide to go that route. Any other method of removing the Bendix is dangerous as there is a lot of pent up energy in the fitted spring.

Thanks for the advice, Phil.

[rocco]

On the same subject, would someone please advise me if the ring gear shown is worth replacing or has plenty of life in it? Would it be worth turning it around/flipping it while it's off?

20240204_134121.jpg (872.94 KiB) Viewed 810 times

[philthehill]

The starter ring gear does not look too bad therefore I would suggest that you turn the flywheel 90 degrees on the crankshaft.

[SEROWMANMICHAEL]

You cant "Flip"the ring gear it only fits 1 way round

[olonas]

Following on from Phil's post and echoing his words, I use graphite powder when "lubricating" the Bendix.
I made a tool for decompressing the spring, yes, any other method can be extremely dodgy. I can post a picture of the tool I made plus dimensions if required.

[rocco]

Thank you. I didn't realise that the ring gear could not be heated off and flipped around so that's something I've learned.

I don't quite understand how turning it 90 degrees on the crank will help but I trust the advise 100% so I'll do it. Forgive my ignorance but that would imply that the starter bendix only ever contacts a particular part of the ring gear, the same part each time it's used. I thought it would get random and even wear over time as different teeth are engaged.

I feel so stupid sometimes when I can't grasp what are probably simple concepts. Perhaps when I put it all together again it'll become clear.

[philthehill]

The engine has a tendency to stop in the same relative position so when the Bendix engages with the flywheel it engages with the same place and that is why most wear to the ring gear occurs in one place.
Turning the flywheel 90 degrees moves the engagement of the Bendix with the ring gear to a less worn place so giving a new lease of life to the flywheel ring gear.