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Starter Removal Question

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S

Sledgehammer

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I'm trying to remove and replace a starter in a 64 MGB. First how do you get the old one out??? I've removed the bolts and wire attached but can't get it out of the space due to the "long" starter shaft and not enough room. Can it be pulled without removing the distributor, etc.?

Second, I ordered a High Torque starter from Moss. The bodies are different as I expected but the new one doesn't have the same "long" shaft as the old one. The old one has what looks like a bunch of "large washers" on the end of the shaft next to the gear that goes into the housing and they actually come out the back side of the housing thru an opening. Do I have the wrong Starter or does this new starter not need those "washers"?

Thanks in advance!
Carl
 
Carl, you may have to pull the distributor to get the old one out. Just mark it's position, and plug it back in the same spot after starter installation. Make sure not to rotate the engine with it out.
The gear drive starters engage from the front, instead of being pulled in from the rear. It'll work fine.
Jeff
 
Carl,the gear drive starters, like your new one, don't <u>need</u> the long snout as they engage the ring gear from the opposite direction.
Jeff
 
Gonna throw that old starter away? You could always throw it in a box with my address on it. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
I've never pulled one out with the engine still in the car, but it seems like pulling the distributor would help greatly with access.

If you remove the entire clamp from the engine block, the distributor should go back in exactly where it was, saving your timing settings.
 
Carl

After you remove the old starter you may have trouble fitting the new gear reduction starter. The mounting plate on the starter may need to be rotated for the soleniod to clear the frame. At this point you may find that the bottom bold will not fit between the mounting plate and the starter housing. Grind the bold head down a little or reduce the rib on the starter housing and insert bolt, then put the mounting plate on the starter. It is referred to as a blind bolt installation. Be sure to make a small wire to run from the soleniod and the large terminal on the starter. Then all you need to do is connect the main lead from you fender mounted soleniod to the starter. I took a small piece of metal and covered the hole on the back side of the bell housing where the old Bendix starter had extended through. You will like the gear reduction starter. Works every time!!!!
 
Carl-

Every time I've needed to remove the bendix-type starter I basically had to dismantle all ancillaries on that side of the engine- including the distributor and oil filter housing, although I believe I was able to retain the generator in place. The trickey part is getting the gear ended to slide past the flywheel teeth. Otherwise, you will drive yourself crazy trying to remove it with those items still in place- a true exercise in frustration. Must faster in the long run to take everything off and go from there.
 
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