Starter motors.

[trackerjack]

Why are so many Sprints slow on the starter?

Would a high torque one improve things? or is there a cheaper alternative?

[jeroensprint]

Would a high torque one improve things? or is there a cheaper alternative?

Yes, no.

Jeroen

[rvfrc45]

Hi,
I fitted a high torque starter motor 2 years ago and done a article for the club mag.
This is not a straight bolt in job as you have to mod the wiring and fit a relay.
Was I pleased with it, yes and no has to be the answer.
It was smaller and lighter so it was easier to fit.
It sounded like a diesel when cranking, but you get used to that.
My main problem was a alternator that was not working correctly and the battery was not being
fully charged. If I could turn the clock back I would keep to the standard starter motor
and saved my money. Cheers GW

[jeroensprint]

Hello, did you fit it properly? I use these for years and my cars do start like a Honda Civic. That's the car they come from originally. It is a straight swap. Only when having a ballasted ignitionsystem you have to add a relay for that.

Jeroen

[trackerjack]

Ah Jeroen so can I just pick up a Honda one from a scrappy?
I was going to revert back to a 6volt coil cos it doesn't like starting at the moment.

[jeroensprint]

Ah Jeroen so can I just pick up a Honda one from a scrappy?

The front part is machined and has an adaptorplate fitted to fit a 1850/sprint. You can do it yourself but why. When you buy one from Rimmers or ebay you will get a reconditioned Honda starter, machined and ready to fit.

I worked a few years ago 7 years by a Honda dealer so i recognised it as a Nippon Denso Civic starter but i never took the effort of making adapters. When going to the scrap, then going to get some new bearings, gear and contacts, modify the housing etc. it is cheaper and easier just buy one(with warranty). The "old" Honda engines do rotate anti clockwise but the starters were on the gearbox side and have the same rotation as normal clockwise engine's startertmotors.

I bought mine from rimmers and they are ok. I think they are not making these themselves.

Jeroen

[VanIsleSprint]

I installed one last year. They are made by Gustafson Machine
http://www.gustafsonmachine.com. I found I had to undo the
mounting plate bolts and rotate the motor to give good clearance
from the block. I also used an Allen Headed machine screw for the
top hole. You can then use an Allen wrench with rounded end to
give easier access to tighten and loosen the screw. I bought mine
for 170 USD. I am running a Pertronix Ballasted coil and no
relay was needed . The one I ordered was for a TR7 but it fits and
works fine.

[Jon Tilson]

Worth checking the earth returns TJ...

I recently had a bad earth connection on the engine mounting which meant I had a hot choke and an accelerator cable that cooked and seized on me!

I too blamed a crap old battery until checking my specialist subject....the bleedin obvious.

If all else is well you need some new brushes...

Jonners

[xvivalve]

They are made by Gustafson Machine
http://www.gustafsonmachine.com.

The ones in common supply by Triumph dealers are actually made by Eurolec in Brierley Hill and is their RAC406 part number. Their retail price is however exactly the same as the 'competition' to whom they supply, even when I tried to buy a bundle of them! About £146 ea from memory!

[mha447v]

Hello All,
my starter motor was beginning to sound a bit laboured until it stopped cranking altogether,a local auto electrician rebuilt and cleaned it for 35 quid. Touch wood it's been perfect since and at that price it's probably only a fifth the price of one of those fancy high torque fellas,unless of course you can get one from the scrappy,but how long will that one last?
Regards
Jason.

[trackerjack]

Thanks all for the replies. My battery is in the boot (Dellorto's need some space) and it is this that has not helped all my earths are sound (2 on engine).
About time the sprint had some loot spent on it.

[MIG Wielder]

Ah Ha ! Snap @ GW. I've done exactly the same to my 1850 and wrote it up .
Replaced the starter with one of the hi-torque aftermarket units that is.
I've had one on the MGB for a few years now and its big advantage is its smaller (shorter that is ) and lighter and is a modern solution to an old problem. It feels like a good technical solution.
So yes I've now got the Rimmer's one on. This is the one they list for the Sprint and is distributed by Powerlite also type RAC 406.
You need to either extend the main starter cable or move it out of the subframe clip. Since my 1850 always starts well I used a standard 12V coil and taped back the ballasted wiring to avoid having to used a relay to operate the ballast system.
About £150 for the motor including discount.
Would I go back to a standard Lucas unit ? No. I'd really recommend these new units. Bit expensive though.
Remind me in 10 years time and I'll tell you what reliability is like.
HTH,
Tony TDC 0091
Edit. 1850 / Sprint starters aren't usually slow in operation if the connections and the battery are O.K. .The problem I've had on all my 1850's Sprints is the Click-uh; click-uh; click-uh noise from the starter when the key is turned.

[xvivalve]

Not that I have any in stock at the moment, the reconditioned Lucas ones are £65 exchange or £100 outright, postage is £15. By reconditioned I mean fully reconditioned with new solenoid as well, not just 'repaired'. The chap who does them also repairs the hi-torque jobbies...but more frequently! Unless looking for critical weight saving he advises staying with the Lucas type as he says they will last longer. If its for occasional use only, I guess this isn't a consideration.

I'll probably get some done before Stoneliegh...

[trackerjack]

Interesting At a track day last year Robin and I had trouble starting when our cars were hot (both Sprints on sidedraughts).
Sometimes for no apparent reason the starter is slow yet the same battery on my kit car spins it lovely.
I have felt the cables to see if they are getting hot, but no real answer.

[xvivalve]

I had that problem on a road car years ago, its how I met the bloke that now recons the alternators and starters for us and provides A127 alternators as well. All was well after he reconned the starter on that car for me and he explained that it was simply sufficiently tired to fail to reach cranking speed when the engine was warm; ie expanded and tighter than when cold.