Gear Reduction Starter

[dancrim]

Thinking of going with a gear reduction starter. Are they really worth it? Moss has a sale going on and I
thought the extra speed might be a help....Thanks in advance.

 

[Keoke]

Thinking of going with a gear reduction starter. Are they really worth it? Moss has a sale going on and I
thought the extra speed might be a help....Thanks in advance.

Talk to Randy Forbes

 

[Randy Forbes]

There are already several personal reviews/threads here on the subject, if you'd try the search function.

I like mine.

 

[John Turney]

Yes, it's a help. You will wonder why you waited so long to put one in.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Tried one in the BJ8, it hits the bulkhead so I removed it, bummer.
Marv

 

[Healey Nut]

Tried one in the BJ8, it hits the bulkhead so I removed it, bummer.
Marv

They fit fine on mine are you sure you had it indexed correctly on the adaptor plate ? You can rotate the starter in the index plate to get it to clear anything thats in the way .

 

[Keoke]

Tried one in the BJ8, it hits the bulkhead so I removed it, bummer.
Marv

No Marv probably did not get it indexed properly, They fit when done properly.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

I have to admit, didn't look at rotating the plate, I Just pulled it out of the box and bolted it on. Car is at paint shop this week. Will relook that when I get it back. Starter is on the shelf. Thx for info.
Marv

 

[Michael Oritt]

Marvin--

Having installed these starters on several cars--two Elvas, a Ginetta and two Healeys I have found that the indexing plates offer one--and usually only one--mounting option. In one case I had to "split the difference" and drill a set of holes but with care they are doable.

All of the gear reduction starters I have used have built-in solenoids which allows you the option to abandon the solenoid presently installed in your car though you can retain it and jump around the one built into the starter. It's your choice but most folks toss the original one and go for the simplified wiring of using the solenoid mounted to the new starter.

 

[roscoe]

I kept my original solenoid because I like being able to crank the engine from the engine bay. The only issue I had was having to make a new cable was with the cable position and angle the old one could not be used with the new starter. I like it a lot. I miss the sound of rurr.....rurr....rurrr but not the feeling that it might be the last rurrr if it had been in the barn for a while. I also added a battery tender which I forgot to put on the post for the reliability improvements. It starts scary fast.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Michael,
I have GR starters on most of my TRiumphs. They all fit with no indexing. Will look at the one I have to see what can be done. I have one for the E type but have been too lazy to do it. I like leaving the original starter relay on for looks. I make a short pigtail for the start wire so everything can be reversed to original if so desired. The BJ8 got paint last week, I pick it up this week and will look the starter over again before I start putting it together.
Marv

 

[CessnaTPA]

I miss the sound of rurr.....rurr....rurrr but not the feeling that it might be the last rurrr if it had been in the barn for a while. It starts scary fast.

So the rurr....rurr...rurr is "normal". I get that every time the engine is cold and often wondered if the pistons were struggling begging for lubrication. I'm adding a starter to my to do list.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Rotated the GR starter yesterday, believe it will work now. Only thing is lower bolt hole on flange is now covered by starter body. There is just enough room for nut to slide in and maybe 2/3 threads to spare. Will be tight but now should clear.
Marv

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Finally along enough to crank the BJ8 engine I built in Feb of this year. I still had the original style starter in place. After motoring over until I built oil pressure. I put gas and fire to the engine. It hit and fired pretty quick but starter was slower than I liked. So out comes the GR starter. I index it so it will fit. Now the clutch hose in the the way. Rebend it, its in place. Can't get a nut on the lower starter bolt due to short distance between index plate and starter body. Pull the GR starter back out, remove index plate and put the bolt in from the front. Finally its all in. Hit the remote starter sw and all is well. Cranks over a lot faster, 30 minute job turned into an all afternoon job. Better to get it over with before I put new dash and wiring in.
Marv

 

[Michael Oritt]

"30 minute job turned into an all afternoon job."

Is there any other way?

 

[why]

First time I tried it I jumped in the seat, it spun so fast I assumed I had installed it wrong. Also worked great on my '67 Etype, Both from fellow in New England, he custom made one for my Caterham. Not only faster starting, also prolongs battery life, when low it still works fine, Jay '65 BJ8