20hp Johnson starter motor drive gear will not go back back down after it starts

[John Drew]

I have a 1969 20hp Johnson. I installed an electric start motor on it.
Now the drive gear on the motor will not go all the way back down.

I took a screwdriver and held the gear down to keep the teeth from hitting when it was running.

I sprayed with WD40 and worked the drive gear on the motor up and down but it will not go back down by itself.

Can someone give me some advice on how to fix?

 

[Will Bark]

Re: 20hp Johnson starter motor drive gear will not go back back down after it starts

Probably need to carry it to a generator/starter repair shop if spraying it didn't work.

 

[Monte1961]

Re: 20hp Johnson starter motor drive gear will not go back back down after it starts

Is the shaft bent, rusted, burred? Is the bendix gear riding to close to flywheel? Theres not to much those. Post back and let us know!