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O-200 Prestolite starter replacement / removal

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HarryB

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Following on from previous thread, by cross wiring of 2 plug wires, kickback seems to have ruined the sprag clutch on Prestolite starter on the O-200 (they should have named it a PrestoHEAVY starter!)

Upon startup I heard a loud whine after about 5 seconds and shut engine down. Sounded like starter. Pulled starter and sprag clutch. Not sure of one should be able to turn clutch by hand but that thing is rock solid. Also, seems like outer snap ring has been partially eaten up. I found this on closer inspection as I saw tiny metal flakes that seemed fairly fresh inside accessory case (see photos).

So there are 3 issues.

1. What to do about metal shavings I found? I collected samples of them so can potentially test to make sure its from snap ring. How do I flush oil system properly to ensure nothing is left over. I am very worried about this.

2. Is it possible to run engine without starter (of course after closing accessory case gap where starter was.) I am wary of this as the needle bearing that sits between the crankcase halves might come undone and rain bearings inside accessory case if the shaft of the clutch is not keeping it there anymore. There is also a small oil port inside bearing that I am not sure how it will act of the shaft is removed - will it cause some sort of oil pressure drop?

3. If I decide on keeping a starter, it seems to make sense to move to a lightweight starter like a Skytec as the prestolite and its clutch is almost impossible to find (esp the clutch) and very expensive. The skytec also has a dowel that fits into needle bearing to keep it in place. Or are these clutches fixable?


Eaten up snap / retaining ring:
IMG_5878.jpg


IMG_5886.jpg



Metal flakes:
IMG_5874.jpg

IMG_5873.jpg
 

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