Dolomite 1850hl starter motor clicking

[tractor boy]

Hi its tractor boy.Just put dolomite back on the road after winter storage. Starter motor doesnt always engage particularly when engine is hot it makes a clicking sound[solenoid?] and the rev counter needle flicks. It will eventually work after a few attempts. Checked earth and usual connections and think a new starter is needed any suggestions where i can get a good quality starter from. Tractor boy

[xvivalve]

I can do you an exchange unit for £85.00 plus postage; fully reconditioned.

Need to know what starter your's is wearing, identified by the orientation of the solenoid to the main body on an 'o'clock' basis. There was early and late; one car can wear either, the other only the one, but I can't recall which is which...

[tractor boy]

Thanks for you reply just got back home from working away. Will look at my starter for any umbers that may be visible. Will chassis number help. Tractor boy

[xvivalve]

Chassis numbers won't help I'm afraid, as one car can wear both and its possibly been changed before. If it is a previous refurb the case numbers are no longer relevant either as when bulk units get refurbed the cases get mixed up.

Can you get a photo of it?

[tractor boy]

Will try tomorrow and get back to you thanks. Tractor Boy

[MIG Wielder]

Ah ! 1850 / 1500 starter motors going click-click-click. This does seem to be a very common problem. I gave up and went hi-torque geared starter in the end on my 1850 and no problems since.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=23428

Here is a long thread we had on this some years back. I don't think we came to any particular conclusion.
One thing that is different on the Dolomite range is that there is no starter relay between the ignition switch and the starter solenoid. The MGB has a similar starter / solenoid and never suffers for this problem; it has a starter relay in between.
It would be interesting to see if an MGB starter relay solves the problem.
HTH,
Tony.

[tractor boy]

What sort of a job is it to remove starter motor it doesnt look all that accesible!! Tractor boy

[Toledo Man]

Unfortunately, access is a bit difficult because it is situated right under the exhaust manifold. Removing it is do-able given the right tools.

[sprint95m]

What sort of a job is it to remove starter motor it doesnt look all that accesible!! Tractor boy

Whilst it is far from easy, I don't think it is too bad.
You need a 9/16"AF ring spanner and a 9/16AF socket (3/8" drive) with a couple of extension bars and a ratchet.

Disconnect battery.
Raise up front of car for access underneath.
Disconnect the starter leads from the solenoid.
To get the starter's mounting bolts out you use the spanner on the nut and socket on the bolt. The upper nut can be accessed from above the engine
(the space is tight but you can spot it, it being bigger that the bell housing fixings.). The lower one is easy to locate from underneath.


To refit the starter I set the top bolt on top of the solenoid, offer the starter up then fit the bottom bolt.
After this I do the awkward top bolt, locating its fixing position by pushing using the socket c/w extensions.



The starter is pretty heavy so please hold it as you remove the bolts.




hope this is useful,


Ian.

[xvivalve]

Once you know the technique it's fairly straight forward.

As Ian says, you need a 3/8" drive 9/16" AF socket, the wall on a 1/2" one is just too thick. I remove the heater blower from the bulkhead as it lets you get a finger on the top nut and guide the socket onto it; some are nuts on studs rather than nuts and bolts. To access the top nut I use a couple of extension bars and operate the ratchet at the front of the engine once you've guided the socket onto it. I pack the socket with grease as that holds the nut and prevents you losing it and assists during reassembly as well!

The bottom mount(s) I access from underneath, withdrawing the motor from beneath also.

Undo the connections, particularly the nut secured one whilst the motor is still fixed solid.

[Jon Tilson]

Alun you have worked on too many Sprints.
On an 1850 its just 2 9/16 bolts and nuts. Dont forget the shakeproof washers...they can come loose
which makes for interesting noises....

Long extension bar helps with the top one. There is a bit more room on an 1850 so I've never needed to get the heater off.


Jonners

[xvivalve]

True Jon, true. I had adaptor plate blinkers on!!

[tractor boy]

Thanks again lads. Will have a bash at getting the starter motor off this weekend. Tractor Boy