Starter Question

[alexr254]

I have an Arco 50143 for my merc 470 engine.

I noticed the gear which turns the crankshaft does not retract, is this how this starter works? Basically the gear on the starter is always tunring while the crankshaft is turning.

The stock merc 470 starter works normally, retracting after it turns the engine over.


I dont know if the arco starter i have is bad, or is this regular operation?

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter Question

Normal for that type starter. The flywheel kicks the bendix back into the starter.
Are you sure that starter is the correct one for your engine?

 

[alexr254]

Re: Starter Question

yup i am as sure as can be that this starter is correct for this engine. its an Arco 50143, and it says its for the mercruiser 470 which is what i have.
Actually this starter came with the engine when i got the boat.

can you be a bit more specific on what you mean by "the flywheel kicks the bendix back into the starter"

We are in the middle of rebuilding the engine, we put power directly to the starter to turn over the engine a few times, the starter does turn the flywheel fine, but the bendix does not get pushed back, when its in off position the bendix is still on the flywheel.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter Question

The engine has to start and go faster than the starter is spinning to kick it back out of the flywheel.

470's used seversl different style of starters over the years. Just because arco said 470 on the ad, doesn't mean it the right one for your application. Do you have a year or better yet a SN for your 470?

 

[alexr254]

Re: Starter Question

I dont have the year, but the SN is 6671777.

What your saying now makes complete sense to me, i suppose the starter was not getting enough power to turn the engine quickly enough for the bendix to get pushed. I powered the starter using booster cables from my car battery while car was on.

 

[dccordell]

Re: Starter Question

Just to clarify, I think what Don means is that the motor has to actually crank and run under its own power before the bendix will retract, no matter how fast the starter turns. Once the flywheel turns faster (due to motor running) than the starter is turning, the bendix is forced back in because of the faster rotation of the engine.

And just to make you feel even better, mine does the exact same thing. I noticed when I was bench testing the motor. I thought it was crazy, but then realized why it was doing it. No problems!