Oliver 1550 starter

super99 · Feb 23, 2021

When I bought the 1550 the p/o said that he had the starter rebuilt at Harvey Brothers in Galesburg, Illinois. From time to time when I go to start it, it just grinds. Let off of the key and try again and then it will engage and start. This morning it just ground and never turned over, so I took the starter off because I could see it sparking around one of the bolts that hold the starter on. It looks like the ring gear and the gear on the starter are chewed up some. The gear on the starter didnt slide very well, so I squirted it with diesel/atf mix and got it sliding better. I have another rebuilt starter for a 550 that is supposed to be the same starter for the 1550, so I was going to switch them and try it but the solenoid on the 1550 has 4 wires and the one for the 550 only has 3 wires. Can I switch the solenoids and use the 550 starter?

Steve@Advance · Feb 23, 2021

Yes, you can switch the solenoid.

And yes the flywheel gear is about gone. The other starter will work for a while, but it will soon loose the drive gear teeth also.

Might shine up the block surface and the face of the starter to get a good ground. That's why it was sparking.

flying belgian · Feb 23, 2021

You know what I think I would do? Weld those teeth up on that starter gear then sculpt them with a pencil grinder. You have nothing to loose and I bet it would go a long time yet.

Traditional Farmer · Feb 23, 2021

I put one of the starters from DB electric on my gas 1550,works like a charm.Had to move the gas line a little.Sparking sounds like faulty ground,run a ground cable from the battery to the starter bolt.

Mike(NEOhio) · Feb 24, 2021

Switch the solenoids. One wire bypasses the resistance wire to the coil for full voltage during starting. Without it you'll be starting on 8 volts.

Oliver 1550 starter

super99

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Steve@Advance

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flying belgian

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Traditional Farmer

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Mike(NEOhio)

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