Starter Motor being eaten alive...

tyroguru

Club Member
Just removed my starter motor to test it and I see that a circular pattern has been cut out of it by the flywheel:

IMG_9776.JPG


IMG_9779.JPG

Was I supposed to fit some form of shim when bolting the starter motor on to pull it away from the flywheel? Any ideas why this has happened?

When I got the car it has just had a new flywheel as part of an automatic to manual conversion and I have fitted that starter motor. It's probably done 15-20 miles at most with that combination.
 

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
No there no shim between the starter and its mount in the gearbox, other than the sandwich plate.
And the flywheel mounts direct to the back of the crank, so hard to see what you can have wrong.
What kind of flywheel is it?I've heard some people fit lightened flywheels from other cars that fit the crank bolt pattern but need clearancing from the bell housing. Maybe starter too?
Where'd the sandwich plate come from? It's different from the autobox one. Maybe different thickness.
Anyway, I'd say the starter has been clearanced now, so Job done.
 
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tyroguru

Club Member
Thanks Jon. Unfortunately I don't know the answers to any of those questions as I didn't do any of that work. I'll bolt it back on and keep my eye/ear on it with the working assumption that it has been "clearanced" (nice term BTW :) ).
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
That sort of damage looks like abuse by someone operating the starter when the engine is running?

Normal operation is for the starter to be engaged before it starts to spin hence 'pre-engaged'.
 

tyroguru

Club Member
That sort of damage looks like abuse by someone operating the starter when the engine is running?

Normal operation is for the starter to be engaged before it starts to spin hence 'pre-engaged'.

That could well be the case as I've had a few different "helpers" turning the car over while I'm at the front. I've never seen what that does to a starter motor though. You live and learn. Thanks.
 
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