Sounds familiar -- this used to be standard operating procedure on my 66B.
But in my case, it was a harbinger of future problems. My considered
suggestion, should this continue to occur, is to remove the starter motor
and carefully inspect the teeth on the pinion gear. Then, from beneath the
car (observing all safety precautions), look through the access hole in the
bell housing (where the pinion engages), and have someone turn the motor
slowly by hand (with a wrench on the crank pulley nut) for one complete
rotation so that you can observe the condition of the teeth on the flywheel
ring gear.
Even a few damaged teeth on the flywheel can quickly chew up the teeth on
the pinion, causing it to stick, or to refuse to engage, and once started,
it only gets worse. The problem is that the engine will tend to come to rest
in one of two positions, and thus the ring gear will get all its wear in two
small locations. The relatively violent engagement of the Mk.I starter
contributes to the problem.
If the ring gear is damaged, your only recourse is to pull the engine to
replace it. The only redeeming factor is that this gives you an opportunity
to renew perishable items such as the engine rear seal, clutch components,
and engine and transmission mounts.
on 10/8/01 9:52 AM, Bill Snyder at wtsnyder@juno.com wrote:
> Just a note to outline a successful diagnosis and treatment on my '67
> Roadster yesterday. (Can you tell that I am in a medicla profession?
> While starting to pull out of the garage, the engine fired, but did not
> quite crank. On the second try, all I got was a solenoid click! The
> battery was well charged and all accessories worked fine. Since I have an
> older 3-main engine with the inertia starter, I figured the starter must
> be stuck in the engaged position. I first turned off the ignition, placed
> the tranny in forth and rocked the car back and forth several times.
> Click again. Then I tapped the starter motor a few times with a rubber
> mallet, and she fired right up. For me, a person of limited automotive
> abilities, that was a triumph (not Triumph).
>
> My question: Is this a warning of future starter problems, or can it
> occur from time to time normally?
> Thanks again.
> Bill
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires
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