New clueless owner needs help

[jason_larrow]

Thanks for the help identifying what I just bought, now I need help getting it running. The person I bought it from was pop starting it, but I'd like to be able to start it normally. The starter spins when I put power to it, but the engine doesn't turn over. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[Ajmboy]

So if the starter sounds like its spinning but not turning the motor over, it's not engaging. My first guess would be you have a bad starter. If the starter was clicking then maybe the starter solenoid would be bad but the fact that you hear it spinning it may have something wrong with the pinion gear. Or, it could be the flywheel which has to engage with the pinion gear to turn the engine. Is the starter position adjustable at all? I would pull the starter our to inspect.

Here's a picture of a typical automotive style starter

[jason_larrow]

The starter spins, the chain spins, the engine doesn't turn over