Gear reduction starter motor

[higgins]

I'm thinking of changing on my 100/6 my old starter motor to one of these new Gear reduction starter motors.

Can this be simply exchanged? Do I have to change any other components?

Any advice is as always helpful

 

[bighealeysource]

Hey Higgins,
The gear reduction unit I installed on my 1958 BN6 simply bolted right in
like the old starter. Do not recall any changes of anything electrical wise.
Does do a very nice job.
Regards,
Mike

 

[Superwrench]

I got one too. Didn't install yet. Hope Randy chimes in, he said he had to improvise something :hammer:

 

[Michael Oritt]

I have them on both Healeys and the Courier. Though the front plate is adjustable there is usually only one that will work and at that it was an extremely close fit against the toe box on the 100. On the 3000 I had to make up a couple of shims to get the pinion clear of the ring gear.

The most difficult part of the installation is that there was very little clearance in front of the bottom mounting ear and I think I had to use thin jam nuts. On the Courier I wound up fabricating a front plate and threaded it to make installation easier.

 

[Randy Forbes]

First time I engaged the new started, the engine came to life so fast that it startled me! I shut it right off, and had to laugh to myself. Compared to the original starter, where every attempt to start the car was like a dice toss.

The only thing that I encountered, was that the battery cable seemed awfully close to the engine block, so I stuck a piece of thick rubber there as a precaution.

This is the second car I converted the starter on, the other being a 1974-1/2 MGB GT, and both were definitely a success. Much greater piece of mind that the car won't leave me stranded too.

I had to remove the adapter and put this bolt in the upper mounting hole before attaching the starter to the backplate.

 

[TodE]

Michael, on your 100 did you have to reverse the ring gear? Or did bolt right up?

Thanks,

Tod

 

[DerekJ]

Probably the single best modification to be made to a Healey.

And for the purists, nobody can even see that it's there.

(Single best modification, mmhhh? - oh well, that should provoke a few new threads)

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Probably the single best modification to be made to a Healey.

And for the purists, nobody can even see that it's there.

(Single best modification, mmhhh? - oh well, that should provoke a few new threads)

My vote would be for electronic ignition--for me, Pertronix--and a 3.54 rearend for 3000s. I occasionally spend 8-10hrs/day in my BJ8--a lot of it on freeways and straight highways--and the reduction in noise, vibration, not to mention wear-and-tear on the drivetrain, makes a huge difference. Also makes 1st and 2nd gears more usable overall. I wouldn't even mind a 28% O/D for those long stretches of Nevada highways.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Tod--

It bolted right up.

 

[Randy Forbes]

... And for the purists, nobody can even see that it's there...

Some <span style="font-style: italic">old coot </span>(that's allegedly restoring a 100...) spotted mine at a car show.

That shouldn't stop anyone that actually drives their Healey. The trailer queen set can get what they deserve :wink: