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My starter clutch is slipping more and more, and I thought that I'd better start shopping. Mama didn't have much, just Aerotech and Niagara. I can't find anything on either one of them.

It's a 150M with an O-200. The parts manual shows part number 634465.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Several people on this board have dealt with Niagara with good sucess. I think they have a "improved" clutch that eliminates many of the problems of the original Prestolite clutch.

Your other option of course is to convert to a light weight starte, either B&C or Sky-Tec.

Charles

Chris,

As part of my negotiations for sale of my 150M, the previous owner replaced the starter clutch with the Niagara Air Parts clutch (P/N CAM641500-20). I put about 40 hours on it and had a failure of the clutch shaft to drive gear mating surface. Niagara promptly replaced the clutch at no cost and I have put over 150 hours and 290 cycles (starts) on it since with no problems.

See the attachment to see where the first one failed. They use high heat (1700 degrees), melting the copper surface to join the two parts. Niagara says it is tested to over four tons without failure. They had me send back the failed part for analysis. The FAA was around the airport the day I found the problem and I was asked to do a Malfunction and Defect Report on the part. Haven't heard anything since.

Chris,
I very strongly suggest you sh*tcan the weak TCM starter clutch assy, and convert to the Skt-Tech lightweight starter. I got mine from Cheif Aircraft for about $500 thereabouts, and installed it in the course of my major overhaul.Once you have the new starter, you will never have that slipping problem again. You can also sell your old starter on ebay to offset the cost of the new one.The installation is very easy, it seems the hard part is getting the cowling off! No FAA337 is req'd as the Sky-tech is FAA/PMA for the original one.You will have to do a simple W&B adjustment, as the Sky-tech is lighter than the factory Prestolite ( not really -lite at all) starter.
-Brian

Does Niagara have a website? I can't find anything on them.

Which part number from Chief?

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/airsec/Aircraft/ElectricalSystem/Starters.html#C-Series

SKYTEC C12ST2 replaces the Prestolite, other p/n are for conversions from Delco pull starter.

From the skytec web site.



If your aircraft was manufactured with a push button (or mag switch) starter:

http://www.skytecair.com/Continental.htm

Another easy one. Order a stock C12ST2 starter from your favorite dealer, install and enjoy. We even include the gasket! The stock starter has a small dowel boss on the nose of the starter that will reside within the needle bearing inside the rear of the engine. The only purpose for that dowel is to keep your bearing needles from falling out. There is no need to pull the bearing.



Charles

Chris,

Niagara Air Parts website:

http://www.niagaraairparts.com/

-Or-

http://canadianaeromanufacturing.com/

-Or-

Check Trade-A-Plane

I have to agree with Brian. Eliminate the problem and lighten the load at the same time(and lighten your wallet a little also.)

I had a clutch malfunction trash a C-85-12F engine. It created my first and only dead stick landing to date. Majored the engine to an 0-200 with a B&C lighweight starter. In my case it was a worthwhile upgrade.