Direct start D318

If you look in the stickies you'll find this thread: http://www.acmocbb.org/ACMOC_BB/showthread.php?844-pony-to-electric-start-new-parts-source

It should have the info you will need, you may need to browse the whole thing to find though. It is a little more involved than just bolting an electric starter on.

I went back through the stickies again and didn't see anything related to the D318. I guess I am asking if it is a direct bolt on because the motor has a three bolt cover on the left side of the bell housing where a starter could go?

Study up on this for awhile then come back with questions.
http://img400.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=header4oq.jpg
Having the starter mount hole already makes it a pretty straight forward job.

If you have the parts book on that engine, it might be a simple job. I recently took the pony off my "new" 12E grader (D333 engine) and went direct start on it. The only addition to the project was finding the adapter plate that goes between the starter and flywheel housing to properly space and index the starter.

I'm not familiar with your engine. .check the parts book to see if an adapter plate is needed or not, or maybe someone else on here has such a book and can check for you,

Hi ol grump,
No adapter used on the D318. Original parts book won't do you much good unless you go with the original inertia drive starter. Basically the conversion is about the same as the D4 but has the extra challenge of whether to modify the drive end housing to index the solenoid vertical or down inside the frame rail.

Old Magnet,

As you recall, there are several options as to orientation (180°, 135° etc) on the starter drive. If it's as simple as the D4, can you see any other problems in this swap? Length of snout, pinion gear orientation as to LH or RH, etc? Starter rotation as to LH/RH? If anyone wonders, I'd say you're the man on these conversions.

My own opinion is: due to my age etc a change to direct start is never a waste of time or money. .I'll save up my Social Insecurity checks 'til I can afford to do it on one of my critters (and I have done several). And save on earplugs at the same time too 😆 While I've never gone the whole route with glow plugs, a quick sniff of ether while bunping the throttle seems to work on everything I've converted.