LA Flywheel Ring Gear

[Two-cylinder guy]

When I hit the starter lever on my 41" LA, the bendix gear on the starter grinds on the flywheel ring gear. I then put it in third gear and rock the tractor to turn the engine over a little, and the bendix engages the ring gear just fine and the engine starts. Obviously, there"s a bad spot on the ring gear.
My dad has some experience on LA"s and he absolutely insists the starter engages the ring gear on the same two or three teeth every time causing wear on one spot. He says, "I can"t explain how, it just does".
I"ve never heard of such a thing.......an engine flywheel stopping exactly in the same place every time the engine shuts off. I haven"t observed it in action to confirm or deny it........can you enlighten us?
Anyway, I"m looking at a ring gear change and it doesn"t look like an easy job. Can you offer any advice to avoid pitfalls and make this less painful?
Thanks.

 

[MT RON]

Your Dad is right about the engine stopping in the same place most of the time ,maybe on a 2 cyl there's possibly 2 spots that get worn.Your only option is replace the ringgear or remove it and turn it over.I just did that to a 520.I beveled the teeth a little bit with a dremel,it works fine.Ron

 

[Hotflashjr]

My LA had two distinct wear spots on the ring gear when I took it apart to replace it. I would tend to agree with your dad.

 

[teddy52food]

If you watch the fan when you shut it off, you will see it rock back & forth on compression.

 

[wisbaker]

Two cylinders tend to do that. It has something to do with balance and compression. They don't like resting on the top of a compression stroke. So when you shut it of it will tend to actually stop at the bottom of a compression stroke. On some of them you can take the flywheel/ ring gear off and put it back on 90 degrees off exposing two new wear spots for your bendix. If it's a balanced flywheel you'll have to move the ring gear. If I was going through all the trouble of taking off the ring gear I might consider putting a new one on if they available and not too pricey.