Hi all,
Well, after 35 years, the 'ol Lucas starter finally stopped spinning. What a POS. Trying to save about $200, I would like to move the pinion over to another working starter (that has a stripped pinion) I have. Any creative ideas as to how to compress the bendix spring to remove the circlip?
I have a press and one idea I have is to make piece of tube to look like a whistle, much like many of us use to aid us in removing the valve keepers when compressing valve springs. This will give me access to the clip area, once compressed. Any thoughts here, besides purchasing the new mini starter? I haven’t reached my boiling point yet
Greg, I’ve done it a few times just useing the corner of a vice, bit of a hit & miss operation as it slips out of the vice sometimes then refitting the circlip (spring ring) can also be a hassle, I normally fit the ring then use a tube (or socket) just larger then the shaft to knock it back into the groove
Or you can just buy one of these: cgi.ebay.co.uk/STARTER-MOTOR-TOO … QcategoryZ
You got your moneys worth, give the Kieth Gustafson starter a try and don’t hurt yourself messing about. If you have too, try 2 vicegrips on opposite sides to compress the spring. use a small flatblade screwdriver to lift the retaining ring, with any luck it will fly off and never be seen again.
Guys, the two vice grips on either side of the spring did the trick. I got the circlip back with Brian’s method. Works like a champ. Had to do the whole thing twice, of course, because I had to get the stripped pinion off the working starter.
Gary, if this one poops out, I’ll get the Gustafson starter.
Your a fast learner, I would have just get in my truck and drive up to Kieths. I would rather drive through Boston than mess with another Lucas Starter. Time to go back out in the shead and do some more sanding on the Elite, pulled the doors off today, one looks like a whole day to fix. It looks like it got caught by the wind and broke out the Epoxy and fiberglass next to all four bobbins. Its been been glued back together so I get to grind out the first repair and relearn about epoxy… Oh joy.
Gary, you’re a braver man than I. I hate body work and much rather do mechanical stuff. I’ve got the RD Ent. alternator which, as you know, has the bracketry made by Keith. Nice stuff. This WILL be the last time I fool with Lucas starters but tight $$ and a need to get the car going this weekend prompted this endeavor. His starter is on my short list!