Chris:
It sounds like the starter gear isn't staying in it's "extended" position-
the position it needs ot be in to engage the flywheel, and turn the engine.
I know that (most?) of them use centrifugal force to jump forward and
engage, and the counter spinning of the flywheel actually forces (with the
aid of a lightweight spring) the gear to return to it's starting place-
disengaged.
I would suggest that you pull your starter off, and spin it up (jumper
cables wotk well here) to see if the gear is actually jumping forward and
staying there (there's about an inch difference- a definately noticable and
measurable change) If so, then examine the gear for wear and damage. If
this gear is worn down enough, it will not stay engaged with the flywheel.
I don't know how easy it is to replace, but that could be a rather light
solution for you to look into.
Good Luck.
;-David
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Pappathopoulos [mailto:ctpappathopo@students.wisc.edu]
Sent: Monday, June 21, 1999 11:15 PM
To: spitfires@autox.team.net
Subject: starting problem
Before I started to rebuild my engine I had a problem while starting the car
where the starter would kick out before the engine would catch. The engine
would usually be close to catching when the starter would kick out and there
would just be a humming noise until I stopped turning the key toward start.
I'd like to get this problem solved before I try to start my engine for the
first time if it is ready this weekend.
Chris Pappathopoulos
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