So I've got a big Ultima 120, Ultima 1.7K starter, I've replaced the Jackshaft Pinion gear before (the teeth got knocked off). Well I thought I broke another pinion gear but after pulling the primary it looks like the ring gear on the clutch is born down now. Am I going to have to replace the whole clutch basket or is there a fit for JUST the ring gear? I'll post some photos shortly.

 

 

Both Rivera and Compufire make a 10-84 combination ring gear jackshaft gear combo.
No need to replace the clutch basket.

I installed the Rivera a few years back and it's still running strong.

 

That should fix the issue though? Wonder why the teeth count makes that much of a difference.

 

• Stronger than a 102 tooth ring gear and requires less effort than a 66 tooth

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/603-...kaAu4UEALw_wcB

 

I had sometimes starter kickback issues that made me dread hitting the start button, teeth gritting bang and grind, would eat up the ring gear in time.

Rivera 10-84 ring gear kit helped but didn't cure it, what did cure it was a new compensator, the cup and spring pack was worn and weak,
had no problems or noise while running, just starting.

I used a JP Cycles comp that was $99 for a '90 FLH, looked surprisingly good for the price, over 40k on it now with no problems so far.

If yours seems to be the problem, you can get just the cover and spring for $50 for the '99, or if the sprocket and other parts are worn, the whole unit for $210

http://www.jpcycles.com/catalog/2014...?entrypage=532

 

Second the 10/84, had trouble with ring gears 10 years ago, installed a Compufire system that held up. Same ring gear system on a high compression 89" for 6 years and finishing the 4th season firing a 130"

Rivera makes good products also and would trust that one.

Not that big of job, it bolts to the back of the clutch drum that needs pulled off, Hardest part is the allen bolts are lock tighted in and come out hard all the way, air impact makes it easier

You should have compression releases on that engine, make sure they are working. If it doesn't have the factory preset Wildfire ignition module, make sure a programmable module is set for a big engine, example: the Ultima system's number 4 setting is specified for large cube engines and the timing is pulled back. Any extra timing advance can promote a starter kick back which results in your condition or a broken starter clutch. Good battery and cables help in conditions like this, if the starter drags a little it can give the dreaded kick back a chance to show, the Big Crank 400 for $99 rips those big engines over.

If you have had some starter kick back which is the noise from hell, it would be best to put a Allsballs starter clutch drive in that starter while you have the side cover off. If the starter clutch slips (the noise) the drive is going to retract and catch the edge of the ring gear and cause the damage at the edge of the tooth like in your pictures. Sorry for trying to spend your money but one weak link in starting a big engine can cause that ring gear damage

 

No I appreciate the info!

Yeah I use the compression releases every start, I have the Ultima programmable Ignition module and it set for the 120/127. I also have the big Ultima 1.7K starter.

I ordered the Prismo 66T gear set, thinking about getting a comp spring because mine had 42K miles on it. Now the starter clutch, is that in the end of the actual starter? I noticed it looks like the pinion gear isn't going all the way out to mesh with the teeth of the ring gear.

 

Good on the #4 setting on the ignition module, the 66T may have beefier teeth but going to load the starter more but spin faster, goods and bads.

The starter clutch is inside of the starter and tricky to replace, if you have heard the sound from hell when cranking the engine then it is hurt, starter is actually skipping when it does it. The teeth are a grinding sound, the starter clutch is a loud clang. Your drive will disengage slightly if your starter clutch skips and re-engage when it catches, it can take the end of the teeth off but if you have never heard the sound from hell then you are ok

You have to pull the compensator anyway to remove the clutch basket so not a bad idea to have peace of mind with the compensator.

 

Oh yeah I've heard that sound, I think I'm going to throw my stock starter back on it. Send that Ultima one back for warranty and sell it LOL.