Starter trouble--Local lifetime replacment?

[jlaird]

You know Bill, I think you are correct. That is strange. Wonder what it says on the side of that starter. Like Part number.

 

[Tremelune]

You mean my starter? I took those photos. It is a re-manufactured Bosch, but it does say Lucas on there somewhere. It looks very similar to the "OEM" starters I've seen online.

So...It looks like all front-engaging starters are kind of Frankensteins from Isuzus, modified by small operations...It looks like my best bet is from one of these guys:

https://ferraris.server273.com/sprite.html

https://www.spridgetmania.com/web/Item/RIC800/InvDetail.cfm

https://mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=46989

https://www.spridget.com/catalog/16_STARTER.asp


Anyone have any experience with any of these starters? I'm reading about the mounting plates cracking, etc...I'm used to lifetime warranties in starters, and I don't see that happening with any of these...

 

[jlaird]

Bosh, gesh German. No wonder it failed, Hehe.

 

[Tremelune]

Well, it came with a lifetime warranty (according to some 13-year-old sticker), so it might last another decade if I take it somewhere.

Another honorable mention for starters:

https://www.tsimportedautomotive.com/sprite_midget.html

Terrible web site, but the guy behind it seems reputable according to this thread.

 

[JPSmit]

Bosh, gesh German. No wonder it failed, Hehe.

Nein! you vill not laff at zee starter, svine!

 

[Thor]

Looking at your images of the starter I don't see an shim ring on your starter. I don't know if that is included on 1275 but on my 1500 there is a shim ring that is needed to prevent starter from hitting flywheel ring.

 

[Billm]

That is ONLY for the 1500!
BillM

 

[jlaird]

Replaceing ring gear is an engine out operation and is best done by your local machine shop for about $20, deliver before work and pick up after work.

 

[Tremelune]

So, months after the fact, I've decided to simply shell out for a high torque starter and get this car back up to snuff.

Does anyone have any experience with one of these? Specifically, which one should I get? I'm really only aware of these:

HiTorque from Moss Motors - $280

TS Imported Automotive - $200

Victoria British - $260

I'm familiar with none of them, and there isn't a great deal of info to be had...The Victoria British comes with an 18 month warranty, which I think sucks, but is better than what the other two offer (zero)...

 

[JodyFKerr]

So, months after the fact, I've decided to simply shell out for a high torque starter and get this car back up to snuff.

Does anyone have any experience with one of these? Specifically, which one should I get? I'm really only aware of these:

HiTorque from Moss Motors - $280

TS Imported Automotive - $200

Victoria British - $260

I'm familiar with none of them, and there isn't a great deal of info to be had...The Victoria British comes with an 18 month warranty, which I think sucks, but is better than what the other two offer (zero)...

I picked up the one ffrom TSI for my TR8. Works a charm and the folks there are nice.

 

[Pythias]

There is also (https://www.britishstarters.com/Home.html)

 

[Spridget64SC]

TSI (Ted Schumaker) was one of the first marketers of the starter conversions back in the 80's. His source is probably one of the same sources as the others big box companies. Ted's a long time LBC fanatic and racer. I've had my latest one from TSI for about 5 or 6 years. I've had it repaired locally once after about 4 years use. But of course, mine is used totally in a racing application. So, I've had 3 of these starters over about 25 years of racing. Broken all three. Fixed all three. Have numerous Lucas types laying around and use them when needed. Go for the TSI unit. You'll like the way it turns the engine over from the very first start. It will even start the car in gear. That's real torque!

Mike Miller

 

[Tremelune]

It will even start the car in gear.

Ha! That would really have come in handy the other day--My '87 325is needs a clutch slave, and it's stuck parked in the streets of Brooklyn...

TSI sounds like the right group to deal with. Thanks, folks. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Tremelune]

I'm continuing the starter installation in this thread.

 

[jlaird]

You know you commented starting the car in gear. I use to do that all the time with a BE I had in the 70s, never a prob just hit it and go. Wonder why that use to work and does not seem to anymore.