how to disengage starter from flywheel

I have a O-360 with a magnaflite starter. I mounted the prop, and the starter has engaged the flywheel. How do I get it to disengage?

dis-engage the starter

That's a tough one. Can you crank the engine? When the engine cranks the starter bendix is thrown back away from the starter ring. Not sure if you can hand prop it fast enough to do the job. Once the starter ring travels faster then the starter (prop pushing the starter) with the bendix(starter) not energized the bendix will fling back to the dis-engaged position.
Hope that discription helps.
Rich

I am in the process of hooking the engine up... so no fuel tanks hooked up yet, and no electrical.

I've pulled the prop and flywheel in that situation. That works, although is a PITA, especially if you have a CS prop.

A thought is to pull the top plugs and give the prop a mighty "hand propping" heave. Might work. Might not...

Kyle Boatright said:

I've pulled the prop and flywheel in that situation. That works, although is a PITA, especially if you have a CS prop.

A thought is to pull the top plugs and give the prop a mighty "hand propping" heave. Might work. Might not...

Click to expand...

That is a good idea. Didn't think of that one

It retracted after first start. I just wanted to update thread.