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Gear Reduction Starter Infor and Suggestions Requested

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RAC68

RAC68

Darth Vader
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Hi All,
Based upon all the positive comments, I am very interested in installing a Gear Reduction unit to replace my original direct drive starter. Although there is nothing wrong with the original starter, drawing ½ the power while providing faster engine turns for quicker starts seems very positive. Additionally, requiring a smaller battery for a starter ½ the weight makes the transition even better. However, the negative is the price so I would like to make sure all is good before ordering.

In my research, I read a web post that indicated the available GRS for our Healeys had the pinion chamfered on the wrong side and could clash and damage the ring or pinion gears when activated and improperly engages. However, they also indicated that this was not an issue because the pinion remained in constant contact with the ring gear and did not move out with starter deactivation. Is any of this true?

Today I posed this question to the Starter Distributor I intend to purchase from but, as yet, not received a response. I would appreciate any comments and information that would help evaluate and prepare for the installations.

Thanks all,
Ray(64BJ8P1)
 
Ray--

I have reduction gear starters on all of my cars. Yes they are chamfered "backwards" because whereas the original starters pulled the pinion in from the rear of the flywheels the pinions on the reduction starters push out from the front into the flywheel's ring gear. But I have never had a problem with their engagement and BTW they are NOT in constant contact but rather engage the ring gear only when actuated via the start button.
 
Ray, although the GRS operates in the 'opposite' direction it will not cause any damage at all to the ring. In fact it is the old starter motors which will do that because they hit the ring while already spinning, that is how inertia starters work. The GRS on the other hand first engages the ring before it starts spinning. They are sometimes referred to as 'pre-engaged' motors, although they are not permanently engaged.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies and clarification. I never thought I would get so involved in "Starter Motor Technology" but the GRS sounds great. I am just surprised I never heard about is sooner...or if I did, never became aware of its operating benefits. I guess it was a situation of "If it's not broke" and my dying Optima battery just brought out the possibilities.

Thanks again and all the best,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
Didn't know that about the engagement of the flywheel. Nice to know. I have been enjoying my GRS for a year now. Be sure to loctite the screws on the mounting adapter once you orient it to your preference. May need to bend the clutch line slightly.
 
I still laugh when I think about the first time I hit the starter button on my Healey after installing the gear reduction starter; I was so startled at how fast the engine exploded to life that I immediately shut it back off! My original starter had gotten so bad that it felt like each revolution of the engine was taking 3 or 4 seconds to complete, and I was always holding my breath hoping it would light off, so quite a contrast between before and after.

You're going to love it!
 
I really appreciate your responses and have not found anyone that didn't like having a G R Starter. I have never had a problem with my original starter and, with a good battery, it does start my Healey with sufficient speed. I only started even being fully aware of the existence of the G R Starter for Healeys when a friend started his Healey so quickly while, at the same time and parked next to his, I was questioning whether my 7 year old Optima battery would be able to start my Healey. My battery carried the day but it started the conversation and in my research I was even more surprised to find that some have had G R Starters for around 20 years or so on their Healeys.

Well, now I am and aware and I will be installing one and see if can keep my batter going for another year. If I can't and have to install another battery, what is the consensus on replacement battery size? I do have an alternator to keep it charged, but my choice of battery size was based on starter draw and the G R Starter should allow a smaller lighter battery be selected. Am I correct?

Thanks again,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
Well if you want to extend or maintain a batteries life regardless if it lead acid or GM you will be required to utilize a Battery Minder and always keep it operational during the cars off time .

I Use Delco sealed 750 CCA Battery and a battery minder same old Lucas starter it works a treat. I am sure GRS are a treat too.

OH! Lest I forget Old batteries need to be put in the bin and a new one installed based on venders specified Time to failure.
N I would not venture no further than around the corner on a seven year old battery>:highly_amused:
 
Based on all the positive comments about GRS, I am considering installing one. Anyone have any experience with the Empire British Car Parts unit? It's a bit cheaper than most I've seen listed.
 
Hi Rob,

I talked to a number of distributors to identify the best price and found that most come in within $5. Empire shows the best price but charges shipping while British Starters includes shipping in their price. Other distributors have set their price at varying points but all seem to be selling the same starter with the same adapter.

The choice is yours,
Ray(64BJ8P1)
 
After reading through this blog and getting the summer sale catalog from Moss I convinced myself that I needed one. Installation instructions were great and it slipped right in position. I decided to go through the existing solenoid (easiest wiring in my opinion). Works great!!!
Thanks for the inspiration!
 
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