61 40hp Lark III starter issues

[freddyray21]

I thought I might start a new thread since the old one has a few different questions. I have a 61 40 hp Lark III. With the plugs out the starter spins it fine. If I put the plugs in it turns like the battery is almost dead. I charged the battery fully and still have the same issue. I charged another battery and same thing. I jumped it with the truck and jumper cables same thing. I bought new cables and installed them and the starter turned fine. ONCE. Now it's back to the same thing. I don't know if its a bad armature in the starter or a brush where it won't pull under a load or not. I don't believe it's a voltage issue and it has new ground and hot cables bypassing the solenoid and directly to the starter. Any ideas?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 61 40hp Lark III starter issues

Disassemble the starter. Bad brushes, bad armature, worn end bearings causing the armature to drag. Any of those would be relatively obvious.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: 61 40hp Lark III starter issues

very easy to rebuild starters

 

[F_R]

Re: 61 40hp Lark III starter issues

In addition to worn brushes, look for thrown solder or evidence of arcing (burning/pitting) on one of the armature communtator segments which indicates a bad armature. A starter rebuilder guy can also test the armature for shorts on a machine called a "growler"

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 61 40hp Lark III starter issues

Around here, the starter re-builder guys will dis-assemble, test for shorts, turn the armature on a lathe, install new brushes, new bearings, and re-assemble for about $65. Well worth it to me.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 61 40hp Lark III starter issues

Strange that when you first replaced the cables, the starter operated a it should.

To double check the starter (unless you've already dismantled it), with a good known fully charged battery and connected cables, run those cables directly to the starter. If with this setup, if the starter still cranks slow, then obviously the starter is faulty.