On Sun, 8 Jan 2006 14:11:59 +0000 (UTC),
wrote:

snip
Questions:
- What's *supposed* to be on an O-360-A3A in a PA-28?
- Is one better than the other?
- How many people have the wrong starter/ring gear combo? I suspect it mostly works,
but probably wears quickly... probably what I've got going on.

Am pretty sure that all the OEM gear-reduction starters used one gear
pitch (fine-149), and that the other was used only on the OEM
direct-drive starters (coarse-122).

Sorry, but it's been too long since I messed with 'em to remember for
sure which was which. With regard to one being "better" than the
other, it would be better if it matched the pitch of the starter drive
installed ; )

I'm sure you are aware that only the outer portion (the "gear") needs
to be replaced, not the entire support assembly.

Part of the confusion comes from the fact that Piper/Lycoming
installations are about 50/50 for who provides the alternator/ring
gear support.

About 90% of the "factory" engines we installed used the original ring
gear support with a new gear fitted. Mainly because the support
supplied with the engine would be the wrong one.

TC