I have a 7hp eng., my question is the gear that is on the shaft, does it move up & down the shaft or is it a permanent part of the shaft? Thanks...
P.S maybe a short explanation of the starter operation would help also...

I have a 7hp eng., my question is the gear that is on the shaft, does it move up & down the shaft or is it a permanent part of the shaft? Thanks...
P.S maybe a short explanation of the starter operation would help also...

What gear on what shaft? The starter motor armature shaft? The crankshaft?

The starter shaft (armature).

Most Tecumseh starters use a 2-piece starter pinion arrangement. The pinion itself, which engages the flywheel has no positive connection with the armature shaft. It has a rubber backing, and behind it is a plate with a helical gear cut into it that rides (in and out -or- up & down) on the armature shaft. The friction (when the starter is energized) between the two is the "connection" and serves to protect the starter as a whole, and the ring gear.

I have a tecumseh starter, I guess my gear is rusted on the shaft. I tried just about everything to free it from chemicals to tapping the gear. Is the plate at the end part of the shaft a positinve connection? If I can't free this gear I'll have to buy a new one. You have been most helpfull. Thanks PR