High Torque Gear Reduction Starter Motor

[pasini s]

Originally Posted by Geoff Kingston

The starter motor on my 603E appears to be on the way out, standard replacements do not seem that expensive but for about 50 to 70% more several suppliers offer High Torque Gear Reduction Starters which from what I have read spin the engine faster giving better stating and use less power.
I see on a few sites however mention is made in some applications of clearance issues with the sump and exhaust manifolds and with the engine in a Bristol the chassis as well?
So a few question has anyone fitted this type of starter motor to a 318 engine in a 603 were there any clearance or other issues.
Were the benefits worth it and if so what was the make and part or model number of the unit and who supplied it.
Any help and advice will be much appreciated.

Hello Geoff, sorry but I saw your post only now. When I rebuilt the 318 engine of my 409 I put in as many new and 'improved' parts as possible, so I wanted also a new, high-torque starter motor. I bought one from 'DB Electrical' ( Starters, Alternators and more for Cars, Trucks, Tractors and ATVs ) and it fitted perfectly in my car without any clearance problem; I think that the chassis of the 603 is not very different from the 409's and the engine is also a 318, so I'd be confident that this motor would fit. BTW, this 'fast' motor is still working perfectly and if I remember correctly it was also quite affordable. Sadly I am quite inept in keeping records of the parts I buy and fit, so I can't find the parts number of this starter motor, but the guys at DBE were helpful and I have no doubt that they will find you the right part.

All the best

Stefano