Can a 122 starter be converted to a 149 starter?

[FORANE]

I have a BCS206-122-12 starter that I would like to convert to work with my Lycoming IO360 which has a 149 tooth ring gear. I understand the ring gear can be changed but would prefer to not do that. Can the pinion gear on the starter be changed? My local starter overhaul shop can do it but doesn't know the pinion gear part to use or its availability.

What I have learned so far:
A 122 pinion has 9 V shaped teeth with 10/12 pitch.
A 149 pinion has ?# U shaped teeth with 12/14 pitch.

A search of another forum I found one post stating the 149 pinion has 10 teeth and is the same as a 90's Ford Taurus part 4-355. Can anyone confirm tooth count or part number?

 

[FORANE]

I think I misidentified my starter as a B&C. It may actually be an old Sky-tec initially sold in the 1990's.

 

[Bell206]

It may actually be an old Sky-tec initially sold in the 1990's.

Maybe send a pic of the plate and overall view of the starter to Sky-Tec for ID? Then inquire from there?

 

[FORANE]

Just got off the phone with the owner of https://www.flightwidgets.com
He confirmed it is an old Sky-tec starter. He said there were a couple of different pinion gears used in them and originally had non-sealed bearings. He suggested either sending it in or opening it up and changing the bearings to sealed bearings if it doesn't have them currently.

 

[FORANE]

Craig at https://www.flightwidgets.com knew what it needed and had the parts. Here's the gear for a -149 Lycoming ring gear.