VelodromeRacer said:
I have thought back and forth about changing out the stock starter for the Moss gear reduction one...any thoughts?
A while back I replaced my starter with a gear reduction starter by IMI. The starter has nine sets of mounting holes between the starter nose (mounting surface) & the starter body. The nine sets permits "clocking" of 40 dergees on the starter body to clear all frame/body obstructions that may be present. Some other brands (Moss) have fewer optional hole positions & may present some starter body to car clearance problems.
The starter spins the engine much faster & draws far less current than the original. It also weighs about 18 pounds less.
While true that the original starter engaged the ring gear from the back & the GRS engages the ring gear from the front, this presented no problems. It "is" good to verify the depth of pinion gear engagement with the ring gear & correct if necessary. The IMI drive pinion is slightly beveled on the engagement side which may take the place of the originally beveled ring gear.
This was so successful that I replaced the original two six volt batteries (BN2) with a single 12 volt sealed AGM battery by WESTCO. This battery is very small & light. It easily fit in one of the original 6 volt battery compartments.
Original batteries, type 17 HF, per set - 450 cold cranking amps.
Ampere hours - 60.
Weight - 70 lb.
Westco single #12V31M "AGM" battery - 475 cold cranking amps.
Ampere hours - 31.
Weight - 24 lb.
Obviously, the reduced amp hour capacity of the new battery will not permit as much cranking time as the old batteries, but with the gear reduction starter, it never fails to start on the first few engine turns, if not instantly. It has never come close to using the 31 AH capacity of the battery, even with starts in 20 to 30 degree weather. Starting may be quicker with the Pertronics ignition & coil. Once it starts, the 45 amp Lucas alternator quickly recharges the battery.
The AGM battery can set for quite long periods without a maintenance charge.
The 46 lb. weight reduction in the batteries & 18 lb. reduction of starter weight doesn't hurt anything either.
I prefer to keep the car somewhat original, but the electrics can definitely benefit from modern upgrades.
D