Starter felt like it was worn out, but wasn't

[Road-Track 39]

I had rebuilt the K321 14 hp on my C145, but the starter would not turn it over when cold. I looked at posts on and found starter cleaning and tips. I removed the starter and tore it down. I found the starter smelled a bit burnt and the PO had not put the brush springs back in when it was apart last.

I took 4 cheap pens apart and took the springs out and put them behind the brushes after cleaning and lubing the starter. I tested it with a battery charger and it worked great.

After reinstalling the starter back in the horse. I still had the same problem. I had already swapped the battery from my C165 and checked all positive connections. Is it a dead spot or burnt windings.

I decided to swap starters with the C165. I had read the 16 hp had a 13 tooth gear verses the 10 tooth on the 14 hp. I took the 10 tooth off getting ready for the swap, but found the 16 hp also had a 10 tooth gear, so I didn't need to swap the gears.

I installed the 14 hp starter in the C165 and it turned over and started right up many times.

I then put the C145 starter in the C145. Same problem Did I mess up the new rod install and have a tightness problem and need to pull the engine.

Went back to C145 and looked at the starter install. I noticed the shaker plate ground wire was broken, but the PO of this Horse had run a ground wire directly from the battery to the starter mounting bolt.

Looked at the C145. The ground wire had broken to the shaker plate after the last time I ran it. I ran a ground wire straight from the battery to the mounting bolt.

Now I don't have to buy a new starter.

Do some K341's have 10 tooth gears and some 13 tooth gears?

[rmaynard 16,208]

Glad you found the problem. Since the 10 tooth and 13 tooth starters are interchangeable from the 10HP to the 16HP, either may be found.