Bristol 400 Starter Motor

[Roxbyend]

Hi David C thanks for the reply. Yes, the starter is a significant part of the engine, so I am planning to fit a modern starter for regular use but to have the working Lucas starter available as an original part of the car.

However thanks to invaluable help and advice from Geoff Dowdle in Australia the problem is hopefully solved.

The answer lies in the Vauxhall Wyvern / Velox LUCAS 25014E starter which while having different mountings and end plate shares the same internals with the Bristol starter. Fortuitously one of these Vauxhall starters came up on eBay, I am awaiting delivery to see what state the drive assembly is in.

Failing that Geoff has other options available.

[mlh420]

Good afternoon,

Please excuse me for jumping on this thread. I have recently replaced a faulty Powerlite starter motor with a replacement from Powerlite. However, every now and then, I press the button and hear a horrible grating noise - which I assume is the teeth not being correctly lined up with the ring wheel. Press it again and it's fine.

I am wondering if the new starter motor cog is correctly matched to the ring gear. I have been trying to find out the number of teeth on the 400 ring gear, but cannot seem to find the info. Would anyone have this info please?

Thanks,

Mark

[Geoff Dowdle]

Mark mhl420 ,

All 6 cylinder ring gears have 108 teeth
The starter pinion has 9 teeth and it's diameter is approx 29mm

Your starter motor is possibly jamming because the ring gear is worn.

I have seen a few Lucas starters with broken nose cones due to the pinion jamming on the flywheel ring gear , especially the alloy nose cones of the later models.

Best to inspect the ring gear and if it's badly worn replace it .

GeoffD

[mlh420]

Hi Geoff,

Thanks very much for the info - most helpful. I understand your point about the ring gear, but the grating has only started since the new starter was fitted. The old one was fine - until the motor packed up!

I will have a look and try to find out the problem.

Mark