wrote in message
...
Hey all. I put a lightweight SkyTec starter on my Cherokee 180 a bit over
a
year ago. Recently, I've begun to notice that it's sticking in the ring
gear on the
engine for a second or two after startup.

A friend of mine installed one of those SkyTecs on his O-200. It was
mounted on the rear accessory case. On final a large chunk of his
crankcase blew out and he damn near didn't make it to the runway. I tore
down the engine and saw all the damage including the rearmost connecting rod
where the big end struck the starter pinion pivot, a device used on the
original starter, and shoved it up through the crankcase. Now how this
pinion pivot came loose from its dowel securing it in place I have yet to
understand.

The FAA, so I understand, is investigating this problem as well as many more
with the SkyTec starter.