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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 - Short Life Starters

Of all the parts that periodically need replacing on my TD (#4952) I seem to go through more starter motors than anything else. This car starts up very quickly, so the starter motor does not get excessive use. The vehicle is only run in the spring and summer.

I know Lucas has a poor reputation, but any thoughts on why this part seems to go out so often? I believe I am currently on my 4th or 5th starter over a 15 year period. Gotten to where I always keep one spare motor in the shop.


Others have this problem?

Bruce Cunha
BEC Cunha

What part of it fails? The drive? electrical- windings/brushes? My car has the original 1951 starter, with only the bushings replaced. A guy in town recently had one of the later style replacement Lucas ones fail after a few years- the commutator end bush failed, causing the armature to drag and short out. Maybe find a rebuilt orig. style one, or try one of the new Moss repros.
George Butz

My Starter is the originl one, Mfg in Oct. 1954, it is used often (I have 30,000 mi since restoration) and all my electrics are original (except bulbs).

Look for some reason your starters are failing other than quality.
Don Harmer

Bruce,
I have been using MG midget starters in my TD,,, A lot cheaper and more available than TD starters,,, the only thing you have to do is file down the head of the bolts that hold the case together,,,This bold head interfers with the mounting flange ...only two starters in over 50,000 miles,,

SPW

Steve Wincze

I don't know why a Midget starter would be any more reliable than the TD starter and as for cheaper, the TD starter is only about $50 for a rebuilt. Two starters in 50,000 miles is not a great batting record when I have the original starter in our TD for almost 100,000 miles. Bruce, are you always getting your starters from the same place? If so, I would be suspicious of your supplier. The starters in the TD as in the TF, MGA, MG Midget and early MGB are simplicity themselves and nearly bullet proof unless some one is doing a crapy job of rebuilding them.

Check around your area for a Lucas authorized shop and see if they don't have some on hand or will rebuild your starter. Tell them what kind of problems you have been having and see if they have any ideas. One thought that comes to mind right away, has your block ever been cracked and welded on that side? Welding will distort the block and could have thrown the center for the starter off or have the mounting flange at other than 90° to the flywheel, putting excess strain on the starter.
Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

For those with their original starters and generators. Don't get rid of them. Your case is stamped with a manufacturing date period to your car. It will be hard to find another one with anything near the correct date if you lose what you have.

For those that don't have your originals, keep a look out at swapmeets etc for starters, generators and possibly coils that are the same month or a few months earlier than your cars b-day.

Chris
Chris Couper

Thanks as usual for the input. I have two starters. one is the original (case date 1950) and the other is one I picked up some years ago - it is dated 1955. I have these rebuilt when they fail but have used a couple of different shops over the years (moving does that to you) to rebuild them.

As for what is failing, I must admit that it has been different things over the years. I know I have replaced a couple of armatures, and also a field coil. I make the assumption that the rebuild shop would replace anything that was not good but that may be a bad assumption on my part.

I do note that usually the motor will develop a "flat spot" prior to failing. That is it will not turn over if it stops on a specific spot. Turning the armature by the back nut to reposition it typically corrects this for a bit.

I am about to take one in and will ask the shop to give me more information on what exactly went out and if they do a total rebuild or just replace the bad part.
BEC Cunha

When you hit the "flat spot" and turn the back nut, is it free/loose, or do you have to use a wrench? If free, something inside, if it is locked-up, then a ring gear issue.
George Butz

Bruce,
Who needs a starter?

Don't you have an engine crank???

If not always park pointing downhill.


best regards,
dave
Dave

I wish all my cars had cranks. Never had a problem when I leave the lights on. And for adjusting valves, You can't beat a crank.

It has gotten me home a few times the starter has failed.

BEC Cunha

This thread was discussed between 18/05/2004 and 25/05/2004

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