'83 ATC 70 Pull Starter Question

[bkm]

My 70's pull rope doesn't engage untill you pull the rope about half way out. I took off the starter and pulled on the rope and the little teeth seem to spring out pretty much as soon as you move the rope. The ring with the little window slots does have some wear on it and probably needs to be replaced. Would this cause the problem?

Is there anything to look for because nothing is jumping out at me, but I also have not tore into it any further yet either.

[jordan_muirhead]

mine has been doing this on my 185s, Ive torn the pull-start apart and cleaned all the individual pieces, and it seems to help some

[surveywaters]

I just rebuilt one that was apart for years. When I first used it I had the same result, either engaged half way or not at all, or I could jerk it quick to get it. The top plate inside is called the friction plate, this has a fairly small (12mm x 25mm +/-)coil spring pushing it outward against the washer , replace that spring with a stiffer one and you should be good to go. Go on and clean/grease everything including the recoil spring while you're fooling with it.

Hope this helps