[redmodelt]

Yes they can unwind. Think about all those little pieces getting kicked up and running through the triple gears etc. To repair will require pulling the engine. The pieces may have come from the windings around where the bendix passes thru. Someone may have pulled or tried to pull the starter with the bendix attached and damaged them. Any bits and pieces still laying in the bottom of the flywheel area of the pan that didn't come out when the oi was changed can be picked up by the oil and slung around the motor. You could pull the whole hogs head and take a look see first.