1977 Johnson 140 starter prob

[HOUSTON1]

The starter on my 1977 Johnson 140 appears to be spinning on the shaft once engaging the bendix. It makes a horrific grinding noise and after a few seconds of grinding starts to smoke from underneath the bendix . Does this mean my starter is gone With the plugs out it will spin over fine (less compression obviously), but with the plugs in it just grinds. I can turn the flywheel around by hand, and doesn't seem any stiffer to spin by hand as it usually does. I know starters can be rebuilt, is this something that can be fixed, if so, what could be the culprit. I have a manual that describes the disassembly procedure. Apparently there were two types of starters used on this motor. Could anything else be causing this other than a bad starter I sprayed a small amount of WD40 on the shaft to see if it helped any and didn't do anything. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: 1977 Johnson 140 starter prob

The starter is probably OK.It needs a new bendix. I see two starters listed,but one is for 85 and 115 HP,and it is made by Bosch.You most likely need the drive for the other starter.<br /><br />DHP

 

[HOUSTON1]

Re: 1977 Johnson 140 starter prob

DHP,<br />Thanks for such a prompt response. I had a feeling it had something to do with the drive/engage mechanism of the starter. I have a feeling there must be a splined shaft of some sort that is just wore out. According to my manual I have either a prestolite (sp?) or a Bosch. Since I am out of daylight I will pick this task up tomorrow. I may even call a couple starter places here in town tomorrow and see what they are getting on such a rebuild. I know my motor is very similar to the motors you listed above, and may indeed use the same starter. Thank you for taking the time to confirm what I figured. This forum has never let me down in time of need. I keep hoping someday someone will come along with a question I know the answer to so I will be able to contribute to the forum some day. Feel sort of like a free loader..lol.. Thanks again. <br /><br />Regards, Houston

 

[Seasport]

Re: 1977 Johnson 140 starter prob

There's a rubber bush inside the bendix gear which provides the drive between the inside and outside of the gear and hence acts as a cushion when the bendix gear engages the flywheel. Sometimes these start to slip - especially if you get WD40 or similar in there. As DHP said probably just need a new bendix gear.