I made an amazing discovery this weekend which I wanted to share. Basically, my TS 610 hasn't in since January when the starter finally went. It was never to peppy to begin with but it ended up turning to or three times and quiting. I took it off and it was definately wobbling like the bearing had gone out. I've looked for a replacement since then and have only found starters in the 250-300 dollar range.
Just by chance this weekend, I typed in the numbers on the motor and discovered it is an Isuzu starter. Figuring, how many starter could Isuzu make during the 70's I started looking for automotive starters. Well guess what, a 1981 Isuzu gasoline engine truck starter is a very close match to the tractor starter. It's also a whopping 29.99 at autozone. It does take a little work to get it to fit. You have to drill out the mounting holes to proper size and use a rat file to enlarge the holes about 1/8 inch on both sides to lines the bolts up properly but once mounted, it engages solidly, no grinding and the tractor has never started better.
I suppose if you were really industrious and had a press you could force the old motor shaft out of the front housing and replace the old motor guts with those from the automotive starter. Then you wouldn't have to mess with drilling and filing. I'm totally gussing on this but it looks as though shaft diameter and the motor housing diameter and bolt patterns are identical.
Anyway, I'll post back in a month after using and tell if I notice any damage to the flywheel.
Just by chance this weekend, I typed in the numbers on the motor and discovered it is an Isuzu starter. Figuring, how many starter could Isuzu make during the 70's I started looking for automotive starters. Well guess what, a 1981 Isuzu gasoline engine truck starter is a very close match to the tractor starter. It's also a whopping 29.99 at autozone. It does take a little work to get it to fit. You have to drill out the mounting holes to proper size and use a rat file to enlarge the holes about 1/8 inch on both sides to lines the bolts up properly but once mounted, it engages solidly, no grinding and the tractor has never started better.
I suppose if you were really industrious and had a press you could force the old motor shaft out of the front housing and replace the old motor guts with those from the automotive starter. Then you wouldn't have to mess with drilling and filing. I'm totally gussing on this but it looks as though shaft diameter and the motor housing diameter and bolt patterns are identical.
Anyway, I'll post back in a month after using and tell if I notice any damage to the flywheel.