I have converted a Poulan 46 cc for a big plane to be built at a later date. I'm wondering if anyone knows of a spring type starter I can use with this engine. I'm sticking with the maneto ignition system. Prob hub from wacker engines. Any thoughts??

Hi Me,
Poco242 (aka Scott) has put them on the poulan 46cc. Here is a picture of one of his engines. I don't know the source.

Dave

It appears that the pull starter could be left on the backside.

Bill

Hi Bill,
It is a chain saw engine with a clutch on the tail shaft. The pull start is attached to the flywheel side. Scott adapted a spring starter from a Zenoah or Quadra. A lot of engines are setup with a pull start in the rear though.

Dave

Hi Dave,
A spring starter is something I thought of for a Toro 25.4. I thought of the original pull starter also especially since the price is right, but you might pull the engine off the firewall with it, because it takes a real pull with the rope starters small diameter. Is there a spring starter you know of that would fit the Toro? I read back in the thread and answered this question, so does anyone know who might make adaptable spring starters? (Maybe one of us can design one?)
John

Bennett Sells them for Zenoah's and Quadra's

http://www.bennettbuilt.com/page4.htm

$50+ would need to convert?

Enjoy,

Jim

Hi Professor,

Thanks for the link. I guess they use a one way clutch in these things. I will check the link.

John

Yes, the little shiny cylinder in the picture above is a roller clutch. On the US/Quadra, it rides on the bare crank.

Enjoy,

Jim

How does that roller clutch attach to the crankshaft, and how much shaft sticking out does it need??

Thanks,
AV8TOR

On the Quadra, the spring is the only thing attached to anything. The front end of the spring has an ear that attaches to a bolt on the back of the case. The roller clutch rides on the crankshaft and in the other direction, the rollers grab the crank. If the engine runs, the clutch slips on the crank.

There's a couple problems with these spring starters. One, if you consistently wind them too tight, the spring at the attached ear end will bind itself against the crankshaft pushing the rest of the starter system to the rear. This coil of the spring will get a permanent set in it and rub against the crank. The crank will become galled and blue and stall out the engine. Two, you need to periodically grease the roller clutch or you will simular problems.

The galled crank does not offer a good surface for a new clutch to ride on. Also during all this heat build up, the rear seal in the engine is ruined and the engine will only sputter and not run, even with an electric starter.

If the roller clutch is not kept properly greased, it will unwrap the spring and cause a lot of problems also.

Enjoy,

Jim

If you go to a brg. co. to replace the clutch, it's called a Sprague clutch.