|
Terry, I bought a '56 310 a few months ago and when I split it to do an overhaul I noticed the ring gear had been turned over. The former starter side of the gear teeth were worn over about a 30 deg area as if the engine had stopped in the same position all or most of the time. The starter gear was like new, apparently having been changed when the ring gear was turned. Perhaps if you look in there while rotating the engine you may find the same wear pattern. In that case it is probably best to pull the ring gear, turn it over, and position the worn teeth out of the normal initial starting engagement. Otherwise a new gear on the starter will not only have accelerated wear but may not mesh well with the worn area on the ring gear. From the Case service manual for 300 series 148 cid engine, the procedure for renewing the ring gear: 1. Inspect the ring gear for excessive wear. 2. If gear is to be removed, use a chisel type tool. 3. To install a new gear, heat to 560�-570�F and shrink on flywheel. 4. Quench in water immediately. Basically it is just knocking it off the flywheel with a drift, something like brass round stock, and shrinking it back on. As far as the starter gear, I think you will have to find a starter repair shop that still has or can get parts for an Autolite or Delco-Remy starter, whichever one you have. Joe
| 
