[Mgs] early 5 main mgb engine/starter

[Robert's New iPad]

Dave,
	There are two types of starters that could be on your engine.  
	Early, like those on MGA, were Bendix-type, in which the inertia of the pinion caused it to unwind on starter motor shaft. It unwound on the coarse threads until the pinion meshed with teeth on the ring gear, then it stopped unwinding and the starter turned Bendix gear and the ring gear to start the engine.
	Later starters were called ‘pre-engaged’. In these, power from starter switch moved the electromagnet in the starter solenoid which has a lever that moves the pinion into engagement with the ring gear, then the solenoid powers the starter, which turns the gear and ring gear.
	If your starter is a cylinder, only a cylinder, like the cylinder-shape of the dynamo, it is Bendix type. If it has not been used in 18 months, it is possible that the Bendix gear is hanging on a tiny bit of rust on the coarse threads, so the Bendix is not turning the ring gear.   Disassemble, clean the threads, use a dry lubricant like teflon or graphite, and it should work as new. 
	If it is the later type, which you can identify by a smaller cylinder mounted on the starter, in line with its shaft, yours is pre-engaged.  You say the starter spins, so it is probably OK, the problem being non-engagement.  I would check again for free movement of the pinion. I’ve never faced this with a pre-engaged, but I don’t rule that out.
Bob


> On Jun 8, 2024, at 1:33 PM, dave northrup <dave at ranteer.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> Early 5 main mgb engine in a 58 mga.  Received in kit form; been working on this thing for 18 months. 
>  
> I think the conclusion is pretty obvious; just looking for confirmation.
>  
> The starter would turn the engine over, then just spin.  Wait until it stops, try again.  Usually after a few tries the engine would start.
>  
> Now it just spins.  Was that a sign that the starter was going?  Is it now gone?  And doesn’t activate the gear so the engine doesn’t turn over?
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