74 50hp Johnson Replacement Starter Problem

[jsalz]

I took my starter to the local auto electrical place and they said they could not repair it. The sierra and arco starters that Iboat lists as the replacement for my 74 50hp Johnson are both 9 tooth drives. The original prestolite is a 10 tooth drive. Is this a problem or will the 9 tooth still work?

 

[jsalz]

Re: Replacement Starter Problem

Re: Replacement Starter Problem

Will the 9 tooth work?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Replacement Starter Problem

Re: Replacement Starter Problem

9 tooth will not work, you need 10 toothed, gears will not match flywheel. what is the model # of your motor. the starter is going to be a dealer item.

 

[jsalz]

Re: Replacement Starter Problem

Re: Replacement Starter Problem

Ok, I'm a little baffled then. Why does Iboats and every other website I've vistied list replacement starters for my motor that will not work? Is it possible that the diameter of the gear is smaller than the original, and that would allow the teeth to line up even though there are only 9 now?

 

[jsalz]

Re: Replacement Starter Problem

Re: Replacement Starter Problem

Now I'm even more confused. The starter that came out of the boat is a prestolite mgl-4108. After searching the web, I believe this is a starter from an 85HP Johnson which had 10 teeth. The starter must have been changed at some time. Now I'm not sure if I should buy the correct starter for my 50hp motor which is a 9 tooth or if I should buy the replacement for the 10 tooth prestolite that I pulled out. Is it possible that the flywheel was changed too? Is there anyway to tell? TDC mark is accurate on the flywheel.

 

[jsalz]

Re: Replacement Starter Problem

Re: Replacement Starter Problem

If anyone has this same motor, could you look at your starter and see if it is a 9 tooth or 10 tooth? Thanks

 

[jsalz]

Re: Replacement Starter Problem

Re: Replacement Starter Problem

3rd page, time to bump it

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 74 50hp Johnson Replacement Starter Problem

If you can find a place that will let you return the starter without a big hassle, the you could buy it and mount it. You can spin the Bendix up by hand, and see if it meshes properly with the flywheel, which you can also rotate by hand a couple of revolutions clockwise to make sure everything's correct and not binding in any way. If that works by hand, then close your eyes, pray a little if that's your thing, and use the key to try it. I would disable the ignition before doing that, so it doesn't start up.

 

[jsalz]

Re: 74 50hp Johnson Replacement Starter Problem

Good idea but no one local. I've decided to buy a direct replacement I found for the 10 tooth. It worked before even though it was not the right one.