Abstract: Disclosed herein is a starter mechanism comprising a member adapted to be fixed relative to an engine, a pulley which includes a side face and a peripheral groove and which is mounted for rotation with respect to the housing member and with the side face in spaced, generally parallel relation to the member so as to define a spring chamber, a coiled rewind spring located in the chamber and having a plurality of convolutions intermediate inner and outer ends which are respectively anchored to the pulley and to the member, a pull rope anchored to the pulley and wound in the groove, whereby withdrawal of the pull rope from the pulley causes rotation of the pulley in the direction which is effective to wind up the rewind spring and whereby, subsequent to withdrawal of the rope from the pulley and upon release of the pull rope, the rewind spring serves to rotate the pulley in the opposite direction so as to rewind the pull rope in the groove and to unwind the spring, and a restrictor shoe mounted on the pulley for