JD 318 starter 18 oppossed onan

[wdcuda]

First time poster,hope this works right. I need to help a friend change a starter on a '87 JD 318 with an 18 hp onan opposed twin. I googled it and it said 3-31/2 hours. Does anybody have any short cuts for this job? Any help much appreciated. I'm on the north edge of Minneapolis, mn. It is +1 degree at 11:00 am Christmas day. Wishing you a MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!!!!!

wdcuda (warren) ( I used to drive a 1968 Ply.Barracuda)
 

[Bob]

NO short cut that I know of... the engine has to be disconnected and removed, or at least partially disconnected and LIFTED.

NOT sure which starter you have, early ones were "inertial drive" and later were "positive engagement", and they don't interchange, IIRC. Early type was serial #'s 222,001 thru 364,137.
 

[wdcuda]

Thanks Bob, Kinda what I was afraid of. Response much appreciated. Waren
 

[Mike M]

It goes faster after you have had it out and back in 2 or 3 times ! lol.
BTDT !
I bought one with a new starter installed but it still would not start and just grind. Turned out the mounting area for those is really small and subject to cracking. This lets the start go at an angle when tight and the teeth don't make good contact. I ended up using another bolt hole farther up to make a support strap to hold it into position. I had the engine on a work bench and rigged it up to a battery so I could see what was going on. Not much longer after I got it back in and starting good the engine quit running . Flywheel key sheared and timing was off for the electronic ign. Had to wait for a special high dollar key that only onan uses.
 

[901sos]

Before u start tearing it apart try jumping across the solenoid posts with a screwdriver. if it cranks over normal install a snow plow or old ford style solenoid in line ahead of the starter mounted one, mine works like new after doing this trick.
 

[wdcuda]

got the starter replaced. thanks for the support
Warren