Arm chair discussion adding 12V start to HM100

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Tecumseh flathead. It drives a Coleman 5 KW gen set. It is a 35 yr old job site type. 1 gallon tank. I bought it new and it has maybe 50 hrs on it. Works great. The trouble is me, I don't work so great. It is an emergency rig only. Small engine guys, can I retro fit an HM100 to 12 volt start? I am asking this with out even taking the shroud off the engine. The gen set is buried under several sacks of potting soil. TIA
 
There are several different spec. numbers of HM100 engines, and some are easily converted, some not. If you take off the cover/blower housing, you can see if it has a ring gear on the flywheel. If it does, AND it has the mounting holes in the block for the starter to bolt to, easy job. If it has the holes, but not the flywheel, the flywheel can be changed, but if no mounting holes for the starter, I don't think it can be done.
 
If they made electric start versions of that engine, you could get a starter, a flywheel with a ring gear (maybe yours has one already), a heavy duty momentary switch, and a battery and be set. Just keep the battery charged with a trickle charger.
 
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Thank you for the speedy replies, gentlemen. Now I know what to look for.
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If the flywheel has a 7/8" nut on it you can start it with a cordless drill and socket. Try it before you trust it. Put the drill on max "click torque" mode, not direct drive, because if the engine kicks back it can wreck the drill gearbox.

You want the shroud on for cooling if you're going to run it any amount of time, but you can cut an inch sized hole in that so you can get your drill in there.
 
Most of the Tecumseh blocks were drilled and tapped for the starter.
You would have to check the flywheel if it has the ring gear or not, some did and some didnt.
If the block is threaded and the ring gear is present, its as easy as bolting on a starter motor and adding wiring and a switch and solenoid.
The shroud most likely has a removable plate to allow the nose of the starter to pass through.
 
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