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Spitfire Bad Spit Starter?

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AustinJim

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Hi All,
I'm trying to resurect a 78 Spit that hasn't run in 11 years. I've replace the carb, removed the oil pan and cleaned the crud out, lubricated the rockers and crank and now I think I'm ready to start it. My problem is that the starter barely turns the engine, probably not fast enough to start it. Since this is my first Spit I don't know what to expect regarding the speed the starter turns. I'm looking for opinions on whether I need to replace the starter or not. I'm trying to keep this cheap until I can tell if the engine is any good so I'd prefer to avoid a gear reduction starter if possible. Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
 
A guy in our club showed us an isuzu Trooper starter that he put in a couple of his cars - I know he did a GT6 and one of the odd-ball saloons (Vitesse? 2000? I can't remember exactly).

Somebody else will have to jump in and say if this is the same deal for the spits - I think so... the spitfire guru in the club seemed interested.

there's a write-up on it here:

https://www.teglerizer.com/triumphstuff/73gt6br_tropperstarter.htm

tons of pictures and measurements to end up telling you that all you need to do is get .20" milled off the adapter plate and it bolts right on.

60 or 70 bucks for the starter at any local car parts place + whatever the machine shop will charge to mill the plate.
 
Jim, the starter should spin the engine over at about 300 RPM or so.
I'm assuming the engine turns over fairly easily by hand?
Make sure all of the connections are clean and tight. If that doesn't help, you may get away with taking it apart and cleaning and lubing the shaft and bearings.
Jeff
 
Make sure all the electrical connections are "conducting" and not just physically connected both at the batt and the starter and the GROUNDS. Also, make sure your batt has a full charge. You might want to spin it a bit with out the spark plugs in (while the plugs are out, a little spray of very thin oil in each cylinder may help) and see if you get some oil pressure.. I would not spin the starter more than 10 continuous seconds at the time just to be on the safe side of the starter.
 
I removed the starter and lubed the gear. Arter reinstalling it the engine turns pretty well. It seems that the more I spin the starter the better it works. This thing has not started in 11 years so maybe spinning the starter cleaned the brushes (or whatever contacts are in ther) up enough.
Thanks for the help!
 
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