Starter motors

[BobE]

I'm going to replace the short/1.4KW starter motor on my 4 litre as it seems marginal for the job. (I'm also going to uprate the battery and the engine earths). The options are the longer 1.7KW version from TVR Parts or the heavy duty version from TVR Powers. Has anyone got real life experience of the latter compared the standard 'long' version as it's twice the price?

[BobE]

I fitted the 1.7KW motor from TVR parts,
http://tvr-parts.com/tvr-parts/part-details/tvr-e6...
and a new battery from Halfords
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs-wiper-blade...
I've yet to double up the engine/chassis earths but what a huge difference in the speed the engine now turns over. A slightly involved job as you need to make up some spacers to re-position the rear air-box support bracket - and in my case the clutch bleed hose.You also need to modify the alternator fuse holder position on the plate that attaches to the rear of the starter motor.

[shep1001]

Hi BobE when you replaced the starter with the 'long' version, did you need to mod anything to make it fit or was it a straight swap?

[Geoff Ashcroft]

Just bought one Shep, it came today. It looks like I'm going to have to modify the airbox bracket on the starter motor or redrill the mounting holes in the airbox to suit (motor is longer, so bracket position is moved slightly). Should be easy enough, but I'm having a couple of days thinking/analysing time before I fit it one evening

I'd be interested in Bob's comments too.

[shep1001]

Geoff Ashcroft said:

Just bought one Shep, it came today. It looks like I'm going to have to modify the airbox bracket on the starter motor or redrill the mounting holes in the airbox to suit (motor is longer, so bracket position is moved slightly). Should be easy enough, but I'm having a couple of days thinking/analysing time before I fit it one evening

I'd be interested in Bob's comments too.

Thanks Geoff let me know how you get on. Going to have a look at the earths first but the last few days I have been getting the dreaded 'click' rather than the engine turning over on a couple of occasions so I am wondering if the starter is about to chuck in the towel. Don't fancy drilling my Carbon airbag again so I would either go with the bracket mod or stick the std short starter in which appears to have done the job without issue for the last 12.5 years!

[Geoff Ashcroft]

Ok Shep, here's the snag - old motor has studded body fastener to carry filter box bracket and clutch bleed hose. New motor has bolt heads, so a mounting solution is required.....

[duff-man]

There's an uprated/alternative bracket that comes off the coil pack from what I remember. (HHC fitted one for me about 4 years ago)

[shep1001]

Could you take the bolts out and replace them with threaded bar (or a longer bolt with the head cut off)?

[Konrod]

Make up a U shaped bracket that goes across the end of the starter motor. Put two holes in it for the plate and then two slots in the feet so that to can slide it under the bolt heads.

Attach the plate to the bracket with nuts and bolts, then loosen the starter bolts, slide (or rotate if you make up the bracket properly) under the bolt heads and tighten then up. Should also ensure earth continuity.

J

[Geoff Ashcroft]

I'm already on that mission Shep - bought a length of threaded bar and some nuts for about £1 this morning from a local nuts n bolts firm, as I figured it would be the easiest route to get the extra length. Good idea Konrad but I think this will be much easier than making a bracket, as long as it works. Will take pix

[shep1001]

In true TVR fashion mine has self healed for now so I might leave it as I am a great believer in 'don't mess with it if it ain't broke'..... just in case you fu*k it up!

[Geoff Ashcroft]

You're in denial lol

[BobE]

Sorry to be late responding to this topic. I removed the long bolts that hold the starter motor together - being very careful not to disturb anything in the assembly and used these to hold the existing bracket in place. The latter had to be spaced off of the starter motor back plate using some washers between it and the motor as the latter has and 'embossed' face. (There is a lot of thread engagement at the end of these bolts so a small reduction caused by the washers is not significant). The solution regarding drilling more holes in the airbox is an alternative to using spacers to re-position the airbox bracket bracket.
For those who are in denial you might want to re-consider taking no action.... I now have a problem with my immobiliser not always releasing the fuel pump and starter motor circuits and I'm going to have fit a complete new system. Take a look at this web page and scroll down to the 'car fails to start when hot' section:
http://abacuscaralarms.co.uk/re-coding-meta-alarms...
A stitch in time.....

[BobE]

Sorry to be late responding to this topic. I removed the long bolts that hold the starter motor together - being very careful not to disturb anything in the assembly and used these to hold the existing bracket in place. The latter had to be spaced off of the starter motor back plate using some washers between it and the motor as the latter has and 'embossed' face. (There is a lot of thread engagement at the end of these bolts so a small reduction caused by the washers is not significant). The solution regarding drilling more holes in the airbox is an alternative to using spacers to re-position the airbox bracket bracket.
For those who are in denial you might want to re-consider taking no action.... I now have a problem with my immobiliser not always releasing the fuel pump and starter motor circuits and I'm going to have fit a complete new system. Take a look at this web page and scroll down to the 'car fails to start when hot' section:
http://abacuscaralarms.co.uk/re-coding-meta-alarms...
A stitch in time.....

[Geoff Ashcroft]

Thanks Bob - interesting link. Having fitted the bigger motor, I'm glad I made the change. It spins the engine over so easily now. Didn't bother with photos - not necessary, as I simply replaced the starter motor body bolts with threaded bar to give enough extra length to re-mount the bracket carrying the airbag and 125A fuse. The only point worth noting is that I ended up having to remove and then refit the oil filter to give enough space to slide the longer starter fitted with bracket and fuse holder, into the bell housing. And of course, re-drill the two holes in the side of my naff airbox, which really needs replacing Shep, pull your finger out - it's £120 well spent.

[RobertoBlanco]

Geoff Ashcroft said:

... the bracket carrying the airbag and 125A fuse. ....

;-)

[wanus1312]

Dropped my Tuscan in for the upgrade this morning at PPC in Melton, not too mechanical so getting a expert to do the work. Existing was failing so be good to see the change of the higher KW starter.

[Geoff Ashcroft]

Airbox, Roberto, airbox. Bloody auto correct lol.....

[Stunned Monkey]

Are the two bolts M6?

[Geoff Ashcroft]

Can't say for sure - I wound one out and took it to a fastener firm who provided the threaded bar to match.