Probably the starter bendix gear is jamming into the ring gear teeth,
usually indicitive of wear on one or the other, but normally the bendix gear,
it being the softer of the two.
It's a common problem with inertia type starters (Midgets and early "B"s)
The problem comes from the fact that the bendix gear is already spinning
BEFORE it contacts the ring gear, thus accerating the wear on both.
One simple way to unjam it that works every time with mine, is , using a
10mm open end wrench, turn the armature shaft extension (which extends out
the end of the starter housing with a square shaft) backwards until the
resistance is felt to release. 9 times out of 10 this will release the bendix
and you can carry on.
If you decide to take the starter out and lubricate the bendix, be very
careful not to get excess lube on either the shaft or the gear. Seems the
excess grease/oil/whatever will act as a magnet for all the crud blowing
around in the bell housing (clutch dust etc) and before very long, the bendix
jams again.
Rick Morrison
74 Midget (257 K miles and still cooking!)
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