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Roto Start Big Problem

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Blainer: Recommendations...First, don't run the Roto Start for more than a few seconds at a shot. If the engine doesn't start allow a few more seconds for the bushing at the to cool (where the starter dogbone hooks up to the starter). Also make sure you insert the starter shaft ABOVE the rear bumper and not between the the bumper sections. Not going in above the bumper will put too much force into the bushing. Also, if there is any thought that you may have flooded the engine, such as after a lid flameout, then loosen or remove the glow plug and run the start a bit to clear the engine of excess fuel. I melted one starter case and the cause is unknown but anything is possible. The new one is working great with the above precautions.
 
How long do you guys usually run for a day~? We barely dent the battery in our Jump Starts. We go through anywhere from 10-15 tanks or more.
 
That's about how many tanks I get too, but I tend to forget when I charged the battery last.

When the 1 way is cooperating, my 21bb fires right up. The roto is a great tool, but the whole system has to be working good, otherwise it'll just sit and spin.

Uh, inserting the starter shaft between the bumper bars is like a strait shot to the roto. :sniper: Going in above the bumper would put the shaft in a bind (or at the leaste a servious angle to the roto).
 
error401: Something must be different between out Savages. If I try to use the starter between the bumper bars the rod is forced against the shock tower and this creates an upward force against the starter connection (thus friction not intended to be there). If I go above the bumper, the rod is at a fair angle but with the dogbone end it turns freely with no interference. If I look in from the rear of the truck, I have NO clear veiw of the entire Roto Start connection point. I have no way to go straight in from the back without hitting something along the way, that is why I said about going from above the bumper. The dogbone is designed to work at angles. Anyway, as long as there is an obstruction free path from the starter body to the connection at the engine it shouldn't matter.
 
Hmm, I'll trust ya on that one. I took a look at the HPI pic on their website and the guy is putting it in like you said you do, but mine must be different (or bashed so much that I can go thru the bumper). When I stick the shaft in, it has a reall clear shot thru the bumper, and thru the little triangle in the shock tower (lower middle). I would take a pic, but I took the roto off because of the 1way/crank shaft problem.
 
No problem. The point being is to make sure that the starter shaft is not restricted and can spin freely with the starter case connection. This could have been easily done by just repositioning the input to another location or even straight up. It would be nice if you could rotate the case and face the connection upward. that way there is nothing to get in the way. Sure you would need a small body hole but it would be much smaller than required for a pull start handle. Even the bodies that have a high rear end would not be a problem. I saw a picture of an alloy starter (kind that uses a drill or whatever with a socket type end) and that one was pointing straight up but this was on a T-Maxx.
 
The strait up idea is great, but the input gear would have to be a worm gear. I'm not sure, but I think those are more expensive to produce, would wear out quicker and would have a locking effect if the engine had kickback. Good idea though.
 
The only time I don't have a straight shot into my backplate is when my aluminum skid plate is bent straight up from butt landings. I can only go through my bumper, where is your ball cup located in relation to your motor~? Mine is top left corner looking at the backplate.
 
Well, I was going to put two pictures here but I don't know ho to get them into the post (if you can). Anyway, these would show what I'm saying about no path to the starter case between the bumper rails. If I can post the graphics and you know how, let me know.
 
Make the pic small (640x480 or so with a small file size). upload your pic to some webspace. Mine are on members.cox.net. Then link that pic in your message using [i_m_g] link to your pic here [/_i_m_g ] tags (take out the underlines). Then the pic will show up in the post.
 
I've had web pages in the past with a different provider but now have Comcast cable internet and I can't figure thier setup worth a crap. I just spend a half hour trying to figure out how I determine what an address would be to create my own page. This sucks. Anyway, if anybody is going to use a Roto Start just make sure you have no obstructions contacting the roto start's shaft when you operate the starter. It will save you some $$
 

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