Other issue,
On portable Tohatsu OB's, say 4-5-8-9.8 models, the starting procedure as per manual is as follows : Pull starter handle slowly untill you feel engagement, keep pulling till you feel less resistance, then pull it quickly. When doing so, find that sometimes both small metal ratches that engages against internal starter pulley assy slips off from dented pulley and end with an elongated starter rope. Need to perform the strating procedure once again.
Have bolted starter case around flywheel at different postions as there's some axial play to play with, did same. Assume the starter pulley assy has exact same bolts holes diam, that's with no axial play to play with, right ? So it's a off centered case issue ? BTW, OB has only 50 hours. When disassembled all was neat clean, not even grease around ratches as to blame for the slippage.
Was wondering if this slippage is quite normal, some sort of a flaw design and nothing to worry about. This issue doesn't occur on larger 15-40 HP-OB's with one ratchet recoil starting cases.
Happy Boating