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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Five speed Starter problems.

Hi Folks. I started my 5 speed installation a couple of months ago and should have had it in by now until an emergency at home side tracked that idear. But now things are almost back to normal so I do get a few hours at a time to work on it. For info I am installing the Rivergate package and the Datsun tranny with a 1275 engine into my 60 Bugeye.

The engine went in with the usual problems that come with trying to fit a round block into a square hole but it did go. The problem arises when I tried to install the new High Torque Starter. It does not want to fit. When the engine mounts are secured in place the starter will not fit into the starter hole. I removed the engine mounts and raised the engine as far as I could and the starter will fit nicely. But the starter makes contact with the engine rail when the engine is lowered onto the engine mount.

I must be doing something wrong as I have not heard of this complaint from other folks doing this modification..

I would appreciate any help as this is the only major problem I have had and I am really anxious to hit the road before winter arrives in these mountains.

Cheers,

Joe
Joe Shaw

Use a Lucas starter and worry about the fancy stuff that doesn't fit during the winter.
David "get out and drive!" Lieb
David Lieb

"Drive baby, drive!" : )

R
Richard 79 1500

I know of your pain...I got a midget but it was a close fit, luckly my starter had the mounting ring completely adjustable, but even then i had to do some grinding and hammer work to make it fit...But OH so sweet, Id hate to ever go back to a lucas.

I cant belive the weather you guys are having out there in the northeast...still hasnt gotten past 40 degrees over night I saw on the news the otherday, you lucky dogs

Prop...Huge fan of global warming, Bring it on...Prop
Prop

The reason I went with the High Torque Starter in the first place was to eliminate the hassle of cutting a hole in the Datsun tranny to fit the Lucas Starter. If I go with the Lucas starter I am going to have to remove the engine and I do not look forward to that Job. Has anyone had a problem like mine and is there a fix without removing the engine again???

And Prop, what the heck is an adjustable mounting ring on a starter?? And what kind of Starter is it.

Thanks for all the comeback.

Joe

Joe Shaw

Joe,
Some of the geared starters available out there are just Isuzu pickup truck starters that happen to usually fit and work. Others are carefully modified for the purpose. Some of these have been machined and the mounting ears are on a removable ring which is attached to the body of the starter in such a way that you can remove a couple of screws, rotate the ears with respect to the body of the starter, and try again. This allows them to have different mounting rings that all fit the same starter, thus making stock a little more manageable. Larry Miller mentions them on his site at http://ado13.com/techs/grs/grs.htm
David "not tryin to start nuffin" Lieb
David Lieb

Here you go Joe...This is what i got, and i got it from this place...but yes, just like david says

Prop

The place i got it from was britishstarters.com

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


.
Prop

Man oh Man do I feel Stupid. After lookind at Prop's picture and david's explanation of how these starters work I realized that my starter has the adjustable ring. So tomorrow morning I will adjust my starter to fit my little Blue Bugeye (see picture) and continue assembling the engine.

Thank you Prop for the picture and David for the concise discription of the starter.

I have just one more question before I hide my face in shame. I have made up the jumper cable to connect the LARGE terminal to the SMALL one on the new starter. Does the original starter cable that went to the Lucas starter attach to the LARGE cable on the new starter??

Thanks for your help guys.

Cheers

Joe


Joe Shaw

Dont sweat it joe, nothing to be ashamed of, I found this site because I had reversed my truion links 180 degrees on both sides (un-knowingly) and couldnt figure out why my car looked like benny the walrace, luckly someone here was able to help me out. And I have never left.

GEZ your bugeye is nice...I hope you will stay around our little piece of heaven...we talk about any and everything here.

That is correct, the cable that goes from the starter selinoid goes to the large nut on the starter. just make sure you have the jumper wire installed.

You may want to install the starter with the engine in place...its still a tight fit...at least on my midget.

prop
Prop

Thanks for the info Prop. I really appreciate all the help you folks have givin me.

Thanks,
Joe


Joe Shaw

So Joe,

How did it go, Did you get it installed today...the weather was perfect here in missouri...Not sure about NY.

Prop
Prop

Hey Prop
I got her on the road today and what a dream. It drives real smooth with real short shift throws. It took me just about a year and a half with all the interuptions I have had along the way. I will never go back to a four speed. I have to get my state inspection done tomorrow so I have been keeping to the back roads and watching for the FUZZ, But tomorrow night if it don't rain I will be going to a Cruise-in that we have every friday. That will give me a chance to really check her out.

Once again I want to thank all you good folks who got me thru all the cutting and adjusting with you helpfull advice. Without you I don't think I could have done it, thanks.

Joe (5 speed) Shaw
Joe Shaw

Joe,

You can redeem yourself (although it's not neccessary) by telling us if the windstop really works and by showing us how you mount it.
I like that.
Gary Lazarus

Gary, didnt know you were a hairdresser too? ;)
Arie de Best

This thread was discussed between 16/07/2009 and 24/07/2009

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