72 johnson 50hp what happened?

[rookie456]

I was doing a spark test today on my 72 johnson 50 hp electric start. I hooked the tester up and then had my son work the starter while I would check to see if the spark would jump 7/16 gap. Top cylinder tested good. When my son turned the key so we could test bottom cylinder, the top nut on the starter flew off, along with the washer and spring. We found all of the parts. When I try to put the starter drive back together, the drive gear will not drop below the flywheel. I have checked the starter assembly a couple times and I am pretty sure it is put together correctly. Is there a possibility that the flywheel dropped down somehow? Right now the starter gear is engaged to the flywheel by about 1/4 inch. I pushed down on the starter shaft, there is a little play, but not enough to have it clear the flywheel. I have also tried pulling up on the flywheel, no play up and down with flywheel. Something went wrong and im not sure where to start.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 72 johnson 50hp what happened?

The flywheel should not move up or down. You didn't list your model number, does this look like your starter? Look and make sure that #2 spacer is in the correct place.
:: iShopMarine.com ::

 

[rookie456]

Re: 72 johnson 50hp what happened?

Thanks for the reply. The model # is 50esl72c. The link you attached does not look like my starter. It looks more like :: iShopMarine.com :: , I hope that link works. The bendix drive assembly looks different then what the scematic shows. I wil attach a picture of the drive assembly 0384785, that is what is on my starter currently. Some how the starter shaft is too high and now I can not get the gear below the fly wheel. I will take a picture of it installed on my motor and post it later.