Starter Motor

[mylesw]

Hi,

I recently pulled the engine on my 3.8 to rebuild the gearbox and am in the process of putting it all back together. The car has a 3.8 flywheel with a 4.2 bellhousing and a modern starter that’s been modified to work with this set up. Before pulling the engine all was working well however after the rebuild the starter turned the engine a few times and now just spins (altough sounds like it is contacting something). I’m not sure why this has happened but am guessing the starter may have moved as it’s not a great fit and the mounting holes are slightly larger that the 3/8 bolts. Any ideas what could be wrong here? Has any else experienced this?

Thanks

Myles

[mgcjag]

Hi Myles...have done quite a bit of reasearch on this recently....first did you have a spigot plate between the starter and bellhousing that you havent refitted.....the spigot plate has locating dowles that fit into enlarged holes in the 4.2 bellhousing....this could be your loose bolt problem...Steve

[mylesw]

Steve, thanks - I didn’t have the spigot plate before. Maybe I was lucky... Do you know the part number of the spigot plate?

Thanks

Myles

[mgcjag]

Hi Myles....ok so now you have to identify what the actual starter is that you have...some models need the spigot plate and others dont..depends how it was designed....if its a Powerlight i can help if you have the model number...if its another make you will need to contact the manufacturer and ask if it needs the plate...strange that it worked before and now it dosnt....Steve

[2Bobone@gmail.com]

I recently came across a 24" section of electrical conduit that I kept in the boot of my '62 OTS. On the occasion when my starter refused to connect with the flywheel, I would pull out my trusty tool, thread it through the interfering components and give several healthy raps on the starter motor case. Without fail, it would engage on the next try. I always reasoned that the [as it is referred to in the States] "Bendix" drive needed lubrication and that my rapping loosened a seized component. It occurred so seldom that I never removed the starter motor to remedy the situation. Give it a try ----------