Gear Reduction Starters - are . . .

[angelfj1]

. . . they all created equal?

You may have received an email from one of the big three, who is offering gear reduction starters at $100 off. This would be for the 250, so my price would be $200.

I know zip about these animals. I would appreciate any advice regarding them in general and specifically those that are sold by this supplier.

Thanks

 

[DNK]

No, so are smaller than others which is important if you have go fast tubes!

 

[TR3driver]

. . . they all created equal?

I'm not certain one way or the other. Some of the racers have reported problems from the wires inside the solenoid breaking, presumably from high vibration while racing; and at least one supplier claims to have their solenoids made to better support the wires and avoid the problem. You can take that for what it's worth, but I've never heard of anyone saying they had that problem with a starter from that vendor.

My TR3 unit came from TRF, and outside of the big "Rebuilt" sticker on what was supposedly a "new" starter, it has performed flawlessly since 2001. (I moved it from the wrecked TR3A to the project TR3, since it matched the alloy flywheel that I also transferred along with the OD 4-synchro gearbox.)

But when I bought one for the Stag, I went to Ted.

 

[terp83]

Frank:

I bought one several years ago from Ted Schumacher of T's Imported Automotive www.tsimportedautomotive.com and still have it in my Healey 3000. Ted is a great vendor. I wound up losing one of the mounting bolts, and Ted promptly sent me another one. Ted is a Triumph guy who would make sure that you had the right application for the 250.

Also, there is an article in this month's (March 2010) Classic Motorsports regarding the Gear Reduction starter.

Finally, thanks so much for the phrase ("Be kinder than necessary..."). I try to live by that and take it to heart every day.

Jerry

 

[martx-5]

I've dealt with British Staters in the past, because he's right here on Long Island. He's also known as Dr. Marty. Yes, he is a real medical doctor. He's an LBC fan, and got his start selling British car parts to help him through medical school. He's just continued ever since. His prices are right, and the product is good. I have one of his starters in my TR3 and several club members also bought starters from him.

 

[PeterK]

Dr Marty sold me one too.

 

[TR6BILL]

Ted Schumacher is the only way to fly. He is completely versed in what is good and what is not, and he maintains that he supplies all of Moss's high torque starters. Ted helped me work out some problems that none of the Big 3 could. Plus, he is cheaper.

 

[DNK]

Frank, your problem is your in one's back yard.
There was a thread on one of the forum's about problems with a **factory 's one not fitting a TR8 with a cat.
Took a BFH to remedy the problem.

But I don't think the fit is what your after.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Frank, I saw that e-mail as well, and I was puzzled by the listing for the TR250, which I thought used the same starter as the GT6 (NOT the TR6 starter as the listing indicated)?

 

[Minesweeper]

+2 on Doc Martin/British Starters! His everyday price beats the $100 off TRF sale price, and he also sells for slightly less on eBay (+10% cashback with Bing) under the name martingf -- just search for Spritfire starter. His customer service is tops -- he even sends his cell phone number with the starter. I had a question about the proper wiring connections of his starter on my '76 TR6, so I called him and he walked me through the the correct wiring configuration even though he was at a restaurant with his family while on vacation.

I'm sure Ted Schumaker/TSI Automotive would be fine, too -- I've had several good buying experiences with him. With those two choices available, I wouldn't even bother consider any of the big 3 for a modern replacement starter.

Scott

 

[Brosky]

Aren't the ones from British Starters on eBay rebuilt units?

 

[glemon]

There was a guy that was pulling starters in the junk yard converting them to gear reduction for our cars and selling them on e-bay. They were very cheap, I think he had pretty good feedback, haven't seen them for a while. Anybody know if he is still around.

I have so many things I am spending money on for my car right now that I have decided to forego the GRS for a while, even though I would like one, I am sure I will get one sometime down the road.

Greg

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi Paul,

I bought one for my 6 from British Starters off ebay and it was brand new. I believe that I paid 169.00 2 years ago.

Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd

 

[booley]

had the pleasure of meeting Doc Martin a few years ago, a real gentleman

 

[angelfj1]

Thanks guys!

 

[Brosky]

I ordered mine from TRF within 15 minutes of getting the email. I just got an email stating that they were back ordered and would be for many weeks. They gave me an option to cancel which I did.

Based on the advice given above, I went to British Starters and got one for $11.00 less and free shipping, so I saved about $25 overall.

Thanks Art & Scott for the tip.

 

[vivdownunder]

Hi Frank,

If you go with the hi-torque starter, before you fit it, pull and loctite the mount flange attachment bolts. I've seen one fall out and the ring gear pick it up and fling it around the bell housing.

Gave the driver and his wife a big fright.

Regards,

Viv.

 

[terp83]

Frank:

Ditto on what Viv just said--use Loctite. My failure to use it in the first place is why I lost one of my bolts that Ted replaced. Loctite is on those bolts now.

Jerry