MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 starters

If one buys a gear reduction starter, can they be used on either a positive or negative ground car? What is the advantage of one of these starters? This would be for a TD.
T Maine

I bought a reduction type starter for my TF in Oz. I used it when I had positive earth and it works the same now I have changed to negative earth. They offer greater torque and I believe draw less current.
Don TF 4887
D J Walker

Most use a permanent magnet motor and draw less current. Most new cars use them now as they're lighter and cheaper to build - little copper. There are lots of aftermarket units out there for various applications, some less than $100. The only problems I've heard of have been a couple of broken nose cones on diesel tractors, not a problem for our little gas engines. If I have a bad starter on anything and it needs expensive parts like an armature I'll look for a PM gear reduction. I needed one for a loader but no aftermarket available.
JE Carroll

I have a couple of gear reduction starters-- one in my MG midget vintage racer and one in my early E-Type.

In a racing environment especially, a GR starter has the following advantages:

1) Doesn't suffer from "hot start" (meaning if hot, then doesn't start) syndrome as Lucas starters sometimes do.
2) The bendix doesn't go crashing into the ring gear on the flywheel when braking heavily, particularly if the spring is weak.
3) Can turn over a high compression engine more easily and faster. It will certainly turn any engine over faster, though I don't know how that translates into amp draw-- for better or worse.
4) If you can find a direct replacement (rather than the custom versions sold by some vendors) they can be relatively cheap and rebuilds can be had in any auto parts store.

For the Midget, #4 applies because there is an Isuzu starter that is an off-the-shelf direct replacement, provided one is willing to use a little BFH work on the firewall to improve clearance. I don't know if there is one that fits the TD.

It isn't all roses, though. Even the GR starter needs some modifications in the racing environment to run reliably. Since it is somewhat cantilevered on the motor it is subject to severe vibrations and some wires breaking inside. However, once modded, it will certainly outlast the Lucas.

Another downside, if you buy a Gustafson as available from Britishstarters.com, is getting a rebuild that goes with the custom mount they provide. They won't give you the part number. I bought a "rebuild" that fit my Gustafson designed mount from Britishstarters.com (at the recommendation of Gustafson). What I got looked like a junkyard used starter that had no evidence of being rebuilt. I sent it back, got my money back, and through some forum work was able to identify and buy a rebuild from NAPA for a Honda Civic that fit the mount and my car.

The E-Type is a street car and I installed the GR starter because the Lucas bendix was sticking. I had to bang on the end of the starter to get it to go. Since the starter is very difficult to get to on that car, I replaced it with a GR. It spins that big motor faster and more easily, but I don't think there are a whole lot of additional advantages. The car is positive earth and there weren't any wiring difficulties.
David Littlefield

Tom,

I have one in the TC - you can see it/try it when you come down in March.

Gene
Gene Gillam

Thanks Gene, will do if at all possible.
T Maine

They work fine once fitted. I'd say there are two negatives... your car will sound like a Chevy while cranking, and it looks out of place when you raise the bonnet. If those two things don't bother you then I can't think of a reason why not to use it. They do bother me, so I run the original in all of my cars except the one with massively high compression. That one has a gear reduction starter, and it sounds like a Chevy until it starts. A necessary evil in that case.
Steve S

I have one on the TR3 and 6. They work great. When my TD is in need of replacement I will do the same to that car.
JWP Policastro

A properly tuned stock TD starts in approximately 3 seconds.. I cannot release the pull on mine fast enough. I do not see the need. Parts are readily available for overhaul of the stock starter. Sounds like a fix for a problem that does not exist.
Regards, tom
tm peterson

This thread was discussed between 15/02/2015 and 23/02/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.