Starter not catching? 51 B

ndgregor · May 12, 2017

On my 51 John Deere B, the starter does not seem to be consistently grabbing the flywheel. Several times you depress the foot switch and you hear the starter spinning but the tractor not turning over. You just have to keep trying until it catches the flywheel. Sometimes it will catch the flywheel right away, other times it misses multiple times in a row. Anyone know what I should be looking for to address this problem? I'm not sure if it matters or not but it has been converted to 12 V.

machineryman · May 12, 2017

12v will raise the rpm on starter...sounds like your ring gear teeth are butchered up and possibly your Bendix is bad...remove the flywheel replace the gear and then remove stater put on new Bendix and you'll be good to go....about $200 in parts.....a quick partial fix maybe taking a small grinder and retouching the teeth...be sure to put the engaging bevil on teeth.....

ndgregor · May 12, 2017

I timed the engine recently, and removed the flywheel cover to do so. The ring gear looked like it was in fairly good shape. What is required to replace the starter? Can you do it without removing the flywheel?

Randy G · May 12, 2017

You can remove the starter from under the tractor w/o removing the flywheel. The flywheel cover will have to come off. Disconnect the battery before starting removal. The starter is held in by just 3 bolts I think. You will need to remove the rod that engages the starter.

James Howell · May 12, 2017

?<font color="#6699ff">[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]What is required to replace the starter?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>?

Start by disconnecting the NEGATIVE battery cable.

Remove the flywheel cover as you have done before.

Take a look at the diagram below of the [b:654c4848f0]STARTING MOTOR[/b:654c4848f0].

Note the yoke (Key 63) and pin (Key 66).

Remove the pin that secures the yoke to the starter.

Remove the starter opening cover.

Disconnect the NEGATIVE batter cable.

Remove the three cap screws that secure the starting motor.

Remove the starter.

?<font color="#6699ff">[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Can you do it without removing the flywheel?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>?

Yes.

machineryman · May 12, 2017

It may be that the increased power of the 12volt has taken out the Bendix. The dogs will catch sometimes and not others...or it's possible that there is crude in the starter housing keeping the Bendix from going in fully....not of if's.

susandiane · May 12, 2017

While you have the tin plate that covers the starter cavity off, drill some small holes in it to let water drain out. If it has them already, put some cotter keys in them with the legs only spread a little. Their jiggling around will keep the holes open. You wouldn't think that enough water could seep into there to matter. It mattered to me when I got some dumped onto my face. Took a long time to get the taste out of my mouth.

buckeye al · May 12, 2017

You likely need a new starter drive gear. Key number 44 in James Howell's picture of the exploded starter. Been there done that & I'm still 6 volt! Remove the starter & using the tag number off the starter good auto parts stores can get you that part. The key poker kid at an Autoamway store will probably give you a dumb look but thankfully those are free.

The over running clutch function of the starter drive gear assembly is just slipping. In part to the higher torque produced by the starter running on 12 volts but maybe just because it's tired! I recently replaced the same part on my 1990 Chevy pickup. Sometimes the starter ran but it didn't crank the engine. Didn't grind gears or make nasty noises, just didn't roll the crankshaft. If you don't want to do it yourself take the starter to a good repair shop for new brushes, cleaning & a new drive gear assembly.

Hope that helps.

Randy G · May 12, 2017

Your starter tag should read Delco 1107942 on the starter. This site sells the bendix drive $38.60. A 1108144 (50 tractor) or 1108155 (520 tractor) starter uses the same drive as the 1107942.

Starter not catching? 51 B

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