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MG MGA - Gear Reduction Starter

I'm thinking of ordering a gear reduction starter for my '58 coupe. Is this a good idea? My current starter seems 'ok' but is sometimes kind of clunky at startup. Also, what other options might I consider to upgrade a very stock setup under the bonnet? (different distributor, coil, wires ??) The only thing I've done so far is change to a screw-on oil filter. I'm not a motor head. I just enjoy the car.

Thanks.
Pat10

Install electronic points in your dist. I put a "pertronix" unit in and it has performed great for the last 8 years.
Ed Bell

Thanks Ed. What about the starter? Any idea on that? The seller says it's a great upgrade but, then, they're selling it.
Pat10

Pat

I have recently installed a high torque pre-engaged starter in my MGA, 1800, high starter position. Works very well. One advantage is that it uses the unworn side of the starter ring. This is what I did: http://www.mgaroadster.co.uk/hi_torque_starter_motor.htm

Steve
Steve Gyles

Buy a pre-engaged style Marina starter and it will bolt into your MGA - cheaper than the Japanese units.
Bill Spohn

All of these "mods" sound tempting but the original system is quite satisfactory! A friend recently bought an MGB with a later starter motor and it chewed up the ring gear (probably due to misalignment). He has now fitted an original starter motor and is very happy. OE worked very well on these cars!
Barry Bahnisch

Some pre-engaged starters require the hole in the engine back plate to be a different diameter. The original starters have been fine in my '56 roadster and '58 coupe.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

These starters appear to be modified DENSO starters. They are a great product used on every Toyota I can think of. BUT...... For about $200 plus freight Special order only I have never been tempted to buy one. In the ownership of 7 MGAs I have never had a starter problem. If I did my local World-Pac warehouse has a Bosch SR192X rebuilt original style for $52.49 with an $18.00 core. In stock and ready for delivery.
Quite a common part. It fits many LBCs from 1955 through 1980, MGA, Spitfire, GT6 and midget to name a few.
$ometime$ better? i$ just not worth the bother.
R J Brown

I know that I am regarded as an old "Philistine" but correspondents to this site may be interested to know that I have fitted Denso starter motors to my two veteran cars (1910 Humber and 1912 Rover--to avoid laborious hand-cranking) with completely satisfactory results. After an article in a local publication my system has been written up in the "Horseless Carriage" magazine (without acknowledgment!).
Barry Bahnisch

The only time I've had trouble starting my stock MGA is when the battery was dead. The car is very easy to start with the hand crank --if only to show-off.
David Werblow

Why?

I am sure the alternatives are fine but so is the original. I think that I have had 1 starter problem in 200,000 miles including large amounts of winter night driving in the early 70s, the type of driving few classics, including mine, now do.

Incidentally having a starting handle is also great for various reasons that are nothing to do with the quality of the starter.
P M Dean

I have the Moss gear reductin starter in my '59 A with '65 B 1800 motor in it. I bought it primarily because it gave me extra room behind the back engine plate thereby allowing me to avoid having to modify the A's floorboard.

I had to slightly reclock the starter and still had to grind a slight 1/4" recess in the frame rail to provide clearance.

For what it's worth.

--Jack
JM Morris

This thread was discussed between 03/10/2012 and 10/10/2012

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