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Newfangled Starter

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Scooter

Jedi Hopeful
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Hi,

I received my new gear reduction starter today, and now I'm looking forward to installing it in my BN4 this weekend (one step closer to starting the engine on my long-term project!). Unfortunately, there was no paperwork included in the box with the unit, so I'm not quite sure if there is anything special that I need to do while installing it. Do any of you have experience with this non original type starter? There is a spade style terminal on the side, and a lug style terminal which has me a bit confused.

Thanks for any help....

Scooter
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Scooter,

The starter comes with it's own solenoid. There are two ways that you can do it.

First - If you wish to retain the original solenoid for wiring convenience & sometimes the battery to starter cable is too short, connect the short cable from the original solenoid to the new large lug on the starter. Next connect a short light gage jumper from lug terminal to the spade terminal. This works by having the original solenoid energize the new solenoid & the lead to the spade terminal energizes the new starter solenoid.

Second - You can remove the original solenoid, connect the old battery to solenoid cable (it may be too short to reach) to the new solenoid lug terminal. Connect the original wire from start switch to old solenoid to the new starter spade terminal. (This wire may be too short also.)

I used the first method to save having to replace the too short battery cable & to keep the original parts intact. Works fine with two solenoids in the circuit.

There are probably several sets of holes in the starter body to permit rotation of the body to clear obstacles when installed. Pick the set of holes which lets the starter fit the best.
D
 
Hi alan,
I think that they are the best improvement to come along in ages. Most cars built in the last 10 years use this type of starter. I think that they originated on the Japanese cars.

The starter uses a small high speed motor, for compactness & high effeciency, which drives through reduction gears. The benefits are higher torque & cranking speed, less battery draw & high reliability. Also lighter weight which may not be important. It works like I think that a real starter should. Snappy, quick, & reliable.

You can get an idea about how they work & what they look like here:
https://www.enginecentre.com.au/no-frames/nf-starters.html

The IMI 1206-10 works perfectly on my car. As you can see it has many holes to give starter body to nose rotation adjustment of 20 degree increments.
D

[ 05-29-2003: Message edited by: Dave Russell ]

[ 05-29-2003: Message edited by: Dave Russell ]</p>
 
I have the IMI starter also, though I did not find it quite as easy to install as did Dave apparently--there were only two hole alignments that fit. But it does fit and spins like mad--My engine fires off instantaneously and the starter gives off a very cool whine--almost like that of an aircraft engine--rather than a monotonous cranking.
 
One of the coolest sounds in the world - The starting of a turboprop or jet engine. Almost as good as an F16 flying over at 1000 ft elevation.
D

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Michael Oritt:
and the starter gives off a very cool whine--almost like that of an aircraft engine--rather than a monotonous cranking.<hr></blockquote>
 
The gear reduction starter is really useful if you've raised the compression on a newly rebuilt tight engine. My old one could barely spin mine. The new one works great.

John, BN4
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Chrysler used the gear reduction starter long before the Japanese. If you listen to a late 50s, early 60s Chrysler start, it has a very distinct sound when compared to a FoMoCo or GM. I worked in an auto parts store in the 70s and sold lots of MoPar starters. I was told then that they were gear reduction units. I think the Jamanese borrowed this idea from them. As usual, the Japs took a good idea and made it better.....
 
Thom,
I suspect that you are entirely correct. The Japanese just took it to new heights of efficiency & reliability as usual.
D

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ThomP:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Chrysler used the gear reduction starter long before the Japanese. -- As usual, the Japs took a good idea and made it better.....<hr></blockquote>
 
Lil point of information...installed a gear reduction starter on my bn4..... had to use some starter shims so the starter gear would clear when not in use
hammer.gif
 
Huh, is there something wrong with the starters on Healeys?

Maybe I'm missing something, but the starter and the Bendix drive is one component on my 100 that I have hardly touched in almost 30 years with this car. For all their faults, slow starting is one problem you don't see often in a Healey. Mine usually fires in one or two revolutions, even after sitting for months.

What do these gear starters cost (I couldn't find prices on the website)? Are the Lucas units hard to find? (don't know, I've not needed one) Hope those gear units don't make that grating "chee-chee-chee..." sound of those 60's and 70's Chryslers or sound like my Subaru. Personally I prefer the "rurr-rurr-rurr" sound of the direct drive original. Maybe I am just too stuffy!

Bill
 
The problem with original starter motors is that most have now been reconditioned several times over. Some parts cannot be replaced and as a consequence the performance/reliability of the recon motors degrades a little with each reconditioning. I tried to have mine done but was told that it had been done several times before and as a result the reconditioner couldn't guarantee it's longevity. I had the choice of trying to find a good second hand unit or going with one of the modern alternatives. I decided to go modern. They arn't cheap, around ÂŁ245 ($400) but the engine now spins much quicker than my original starter ever managed.
 
Hi,

Since the starter for my BN4 needed a rebuild anyway, I decided to go with the new starter for reliability sake. The cost for a rebuilt Lucas unit from a supplier, or having my original Lucas unit rebuilt locally wasn't too far (cost wise) from that of one of the newfangled gear reduction type starters that are brand new, and supposedly very robust and reliable. I don't really care what it sounds like when I start it, but I do care that it starts every time for a long, long time. I paid $225 for mine. Prices have dropped recently.

Scooter
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here is a link to a place I purchased my starter

That's a very good deal. It looks like the same starter that I purchased for $225, plus shipping. I had to make a shim for mine because when I pressed on the clutch (while engine running), the flywheel came in contact with the starter gear. I cut a gasket using .060" Velumoid that did the trick.

Scooter
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