Well, since I have an ear, I might have been too assuming that it was my starter. Just assumed it was...but, I do need to go and have it tested.....Let me describe what's actually happening...Tractor is 45 years old. Owned by the same family for 43 years before I bought it, and I know the owners. It's the original starter.
9 times out of 10, when I hit the starter, there is a loud crack (sounds like metal on metal), and then I hear the freespin of the starter gear. Finally, on the roughly 10th time, the starter gear will engage the flywheel and turn the tractor over. Happens like this everytime I go to start it.
When I removed the starter, I didn't notice anything wrong with the flywheel like bent teeth or chipped teeth that would be a problem, nor did I notice anything on the starter gear...........again, assumed it was a starter? Is the described problem indicative of a starter going bad?