To grease or not to grease?

[Tinkerman]

I'm getting ready to put my starter motor in my TR 3A, post 60000 car (for the second time) and was wondering whether I should grease the gear that engages the flywheel? I don't remember doing that when I was working in an auto repair gas station years ago. However times have changed, hence the question.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Tinkerman

 

[jdubois]

I've never seen anybody ever grease that gear. Wouldn't the grease just get flung about the bell housing and make a mess?

 

[Andrew Mace]

Grease also tends to attract dirt and dust that might jam up or make the pinion gear sticky. Some folks might use a tiny bit of dry graphite lube, but I've usually found it best just to make sure it's all clean.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Clean no grease....last thing you want is extra lubricant floating in and around the clutch.

 

[TR3driver]

With the caveat that if you have de-greased the gear while it was off, it might be wise to give it a light coat of oil (eg spritz of WD-40) and wipe off the oil. Not to lubricate as much as to help prevent rust.

But if it wasn't degreased and wasn't rusty, I wouldn't bother.

 

[Tinkerman]

Thanks all! Makes sense not to grease and yes Randall I did dismantle and clean so a bit of WD-40 is certainly in order.

Cheers, Tinkerman

 

[Brinkerhoff]

Don't grease the starter gear ! It won't slide into engagement if you do. Light oil. Been there , fixed that. Kevin

 

[MDCanaday]

Grease here will get onto the clutch face, where it will cause the exact opposite problem you would expect.Shortly there after you will be pulling the tranny again to clean the disc.(burnt grease makes the disc stick to the flywheel rather badly)
MD(mad dog)
ps also be careful not to over do the pilot greasing...