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American Motors/starter motor AMC Hornet 232-1977

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Expert: Kevin Pilotte - 12/11/2009


Question
I have a Hornet 1977, engine 232, 6L.The starter donīt work perfect, several times I have to turn the engine by hand until the drive gear can engage the ring of the flywheel and starts the engine
It seems that the drive gear does not matches the ring. What is the number of teeth of the drive gear? The starter is an Autolite.Please help me with all the ideas you can have, because here in Chile I donīt have expertise in AMC cars. Thanks.

Answer
It sounds as though the flywheel has damaged teeth on the gear. This is not uncommon.
I do not know how many teeth are on either the starter drive (drive gear) or the flywheel (driven gear).
You can remove the starter and turn the engine over by using a socket on the front crankshaft damper bolt. Look through the starter opening at the flywheel teeth. If they are damaged, I would suggest replacing the flywheel.

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Kevin Pilotte

Expertise

I can answer many technical questions relating to AMC vehicles prior to 1979. I also have experience with Rambler & Nash vehicles.

Experience

I am a former AMC technician, service writer and service manager. I have worked in AMC dealers in Illinois in the 70's. After college, I was a Field Service Rep for American Motors Sales Corporation, working out of the Chicago Zone office. I traveled to AMC dealers assisting in the diagnosis and repair of AMC vehicles. I was also the Area Training Manager for DeLorean Motor Company. I have 10+ years as an Automotive Instructor. I have modified and restored
numerous AMC vehicles. I have been working on AMC vehicles for over 30 years.

Organizations
I have been an ASE Certified Master Technician since 1975. This includes L1. I am also currently a Toyota Certified Master Diagnostic Technician.

Publications
I have articles in "American Motoring", the official publication of the American Motors Owners Association. They are the largest AMC club in the world.

Education/Credentials
I have a certificate I printed out from a website.

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