High torque starter motors

I have a reduction-gear starter on my landrover V8, couldn't tell you if it has permanent magnets or if it is series-wound however. Came from ebay, cost around £80. One thing's for sure though, it swings the big 4.7 over a lot faster than its predecessor, an old Lucas 3M100. Badger.

they're hardly new, most larger jap and euro cars have had them for years...

I swapped lucas licensed design starter(all the czech electrical stuff was lucas licensed) for a gear reduction one on a Skoda Estelle I had. The old one was worn out and very slow turning, but the replacement one whizzed round so fast it was scary.

I fitted one to the Jensen Interceptor. It worked.

And this is a classic car group...

Interesting. Was it a used type fitted to a later model? The new replacements cost several times that. The one on my SD1 - not that old although a re-con - is drawing far too much current probably due to a shorted turn or two, so would like to get a more modern type. I have a neighbour with a Range Rover old enough to have the RV8 which whizzes round compared to mine.

Dave, I bought it as a reconditioned replacement off ebay about 2 years ago. One suggestion for your current motor - these old motors draw some serious amperages - ALL connections must be absolutely perfect or you WILL have issues. I had some real weird stuff going on (including slow cranking) with my 110 about 4 or 5 months ago and it was all down to earths between body and chassis and engine. Badger.

Well, it all depends on how you define classic...?

I've had a look at Ebay, but those on offer look the same as the one I've got now.

Indeed.

Dave - I fitted one to my E-Type due to the failure of the solenoid on the original starter and my lack of success in finding a replacement. It certainly spins the engine a lot quicker, even on a moderately flat battery - which I'm afraid is fairly often at this time of year. It's a big old lump to tun over, too, 4.2 litre, 9:1 comp (although I bow to the bloke with the Jensen!).

Only criticism is that it sounds like a demented cement mixer, but since the engine fires up more or less immediately this is not really a problem.

Cost £132 brand new from SC. Might have found it cheaper but the car was OTR , space critical and SC are just around the corner.

Conclusion? Recommended.

Geoff MacK

Who are SC?

Oh, please God, not this one again...!

GMacK

SC Parts Group, 14 Cobham Way, Gatwick Road, Crawley, W. Sussex RH10 9RX. Specialise mainly in Jaguar and Austin Healey bits. Only to be used if (a) you know the part number, (b) are prepared to open the packaging in front of them to confirm it's the part you want, and (c) don't mind taking at least

20 mins to pay (what is your customer number? You don't seem to show up on our database...).

Used to be very good, until the stores manager defected.

Geoff MacK

Thanks for that, Geoff. Rimmer charge over 200 quid for one to fit the SD1.

Anyone have a source for less money?

Dave - Rimmer are well known for their prices! SC claim to be specialists in Rover/Range Rover, so might be worth a call on 01293 847200 - subject to my reservations. Not that far from you, if you don't mind paying a visit.

Geoff MacK

Not far from me - I live in Brighton.

Mischief aside, what was the general consensus last time?

There wasn't one. Protagonists from all sides. My personal view, entirely cynical, is that a "classic" is any car which, for whatever reason, goes up in value rather then down. And that would include several cars which I personally wouldn't touch with a bargepole. Perhaps a less cynical view is the going home test - you have just driven home after a journey of five to

500 miles and just as you are turning into your drive, you decide to run around the block or down the road a couple more times simply because you are enjoying it.

Cheers!

Geoff MacK

As I understand it, these starters are of the pre-engaged type. They advertise them for lots of cars that originally had inertia (Bendix) type gears. Are there any problems in going from one type to the other? For example, is the tooth profile on the ring gear the same for both types?