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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Gear Reduction Starter

I was wondering if anyone has tried a gear reduction starter on their T-type? For a daily driver it looks like the way to go.

Thanks,
William Gardner

Will,

I don't think they're available yet for the XPAG although someone told me the MGB model manufactured by Cambridge (http://www.cambridgemotorsport.com) could be modified to fit the XPAG, providing there's nothing else in the way. But then, there's always the issue of positive ground??

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

I can't believe that a starter for the MGB would fit the T series cars. The MGB starter has a larger mounting flange and requires a larger hole. Positive or negative ground is a non-problem, the starter doesn't care what polarity feeds it. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Gents,
I never had the opportunity to drive an XPAG with anything higher than stock compression ratio. Is it a cranking problem?


Safety Fast!
Jimbo6
1953 MGTD
J. M. Haskins

William, just curious why? Moss has excellent repro new starters (a friend has one on his TD) for $125, much cheaper than the gear reduction, and used to have rebuilt Lucas later model ones for $99.
George Butz

George, I'm guessing a reduction starter uses less current for an equivalent rpm or more rpm for equivalent current than a stock starter. It's got to be more reliable. And I'm just born to tinker. Don't worry, I'm not going to swap out the XPAG for a 302.

Bill
William Gardner

"It's got to be more reliable". Let see, We've owned the TD for 30 plus years and I had to overhaul the starter after about two years. Since then it has never missed a beat - yup, pretty unrelaible ;). As for current draw, I have never measured it, but I would guess that it is really on the low side. The stock starter is such a simple item that it can be overhauled at any compentent auto electric shop for much less than the $99.00 that Moss used to charge for a rebuild. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

My TD has 9.5:1 compression ratio, and I don't think the starter motor has noticed the difference. The engine (1380cc) starts within a few seconds, even when cold.
Roger Wilson

We have been using a starter from an MG midget in our TD ,,,much less expensive than $125 or $99 rebuilt,,, and they are available from your local parts store,,,,,,

SPW
Steve Wincze

Ther's a starter for sale on eBay where the seller does a good job of explaining how later starters are used on an XPAG/XPEG block Item # 4520422495:
This starter is stamped as follows: LUCAS 25147D 41 73 (Next line) 1135 12V (Next line) Made in England. A professional shop installed this on my TF the week after I bought the car in the fall of 2003. I started the car only a few dozen times and it worked perfectly. I then had another shop rebuild the engine and they replaced the starter. When I asked why, they said this is a modern rebuilt such as sold by Moss and other MG parts suppliers with the bolt heads in the rear. Many restorers have machined their blocks slightly to accept this type of starter. My block has not been machined. (There was something about this on the MG T news group just recently.) So this starter is a near-new rebuilt, works perfectly and is the same kind you would get if you ordered one from Moss. But your block must be machined for it. Please check the numbers. If you can use it, it's a perfect starter. (If the numbers indicate my information is wrong, please let me know.)Shipping will be actual cost for the class of service you prefer to your zip code. Domestic sales only on this item.
Bud Krueger

Bud,
Thanks for reminding me,,,, one of the rear bolt heads on the Midget starter must be filed down just a bit to make it fit and work perfectly,,,the outword appearance of the starter is just like a TD started,, but your wallet stays a bit fuller
SPW
Steve Wincze

This thread was discussed between 17/01/2005 and 23/01/2005

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