Home › Forum › Ask A Member › Recoil spring retainer, later 9.9 and 15 Johnsons › Re: Recoil spring retainer, later 9.9 and 15 Johnsons
Well, that retainer helps keep the end of the spring secure in its pin in the pulley. Without it, the spring is more likely to come unwound somewhat and disengage from the pulley. It is especially helpful when unknowing users let go of the starter rope which often causes the spring to double over on itself in this location. So, I would get the retainer and use it. Perhaps this is why the end of the spring has already been repaired before you got to it…
The 78 and earlier recoils had a completely different pulley, mostly due to the interlock change, but the recoil springs are different also. The recoil is retained differently in these older models, so I guess engineering felt the spring retainer was not needed.