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GT550 Starter or not?

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 9:04 pm
by RossB
Hey Gents!
Just finishing my GT550 engine up. I'm on the fence about running electric starter,found old style clutch gear and rebuild kit the old one is in many pieces! I know old style system is extremely weak and finding Borg-Warner style is impossible to find.Thinking just leave springs and paws out and making it kick only or take my chances and run electric starter? Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Thank you!

Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2017 12:14 am
by Alan H
The old style starter is ok if you have a good battery, correct oil and level, plus all the parts are ok to start with. I never had a problem with my original 550J back in 72 to 76 (about 50000 miles), the 550K 2014 to 2017 (3000 miles) and the 550J that I'm rebuilding has an original starter clutch.

Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2017 8:12 am
by RossB
Thanks
I would like electric start one question there are theses little spring holders opposite side of engaging barrels they fit on far end there not held in by anything besides the outer cover and can work there way out should they be pressed in? Can't seem to find a view or theses little boogers! They fit in little counter bore maybe there not supposed to come out?

Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2017 2:06 pm
by Alan H
Image

The springs go in the clutch housing and the 'spring holders' are actually the bearing faces that the springs go in and push against the one way rollers. Yes I know the rollers can rotate in either direction, but in the 'drive' direction, they move against the springs and lock into the narrow end of the chamfer and when the engine has started, the springs force the rollers to the wide end of the chamfers so they can rotate freely. Without a correct oil level, these eventually go dry and overheat, losing their hardness, and when used again (and again) jam and shatter.

Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2017 2:10 pm
by Alan H
Incidentally, the starter clutches work the same, and use the same rollers, springs and roller push pieces on the 550J and 750J. Different reports regards when they were changed - either K or L models, so early K's will probably be the same and maybe some L's, but you'll have to look to be certain. The later clutches (on the 550s anyway) have to be changed entirely - except for plates, springs and pressure plate.

Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2017 5:57 pm
by RossB
Got that. I'm talking about the opposite side let's call it roller plate think it's bronze the springs need to be retained from coming out,not on barrel side that makes contact with starter clutch gear on large outside diameter little pins with a step in it and tiny hole in middle. Don't think there supposed to come out. That's why we never see it in in parts list or in schematic views. Think they work there way out drop in and get jammed up in rollers. When it gets hot plate expands and let's pins drop out there's not much pressed in to begin with and the hole in the middle is so small don't see how any oil could get down in there to do any good. But I could be wrong?
Thanks!

Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 4:06 pm
by Alan H
You've lost me on this one. Post a pic and put an arrow pointing to the bit you mean.

Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 4:34 pm
by RossB
Here's some pics

Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 4:50 pm
by RossB
Hope that helps that little pin keeps spring from coming out from cam plate all of them fell out.

Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 11:32 am
by Alan H
Must admit, never noticed those. They are just 'there' so need to be in to retain the springs.
Not sure if I've an easily accessible early clutch to have a look at in the next few days. I'll try to find one and post my findings.
Just shows how we can learn new stuff all the time.

Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 5:49 am
by RossB
Sounds great thanks! I made up some new spring retainers and pressed them in there not going anywhere!
Take care!