[TR] TR 2/3 Issues

[Bill]

Get a new Battery ...

>Hi All - I'm having some problems with my starter.
>
>For reference, I have a 1954 TR2 Long Door, TS3388L.  It is not the original
>engine or transmission.  The engine number is TS73837E, and the transmission
>number is TS61713.  I'm assuming that these did not even come out of the same
>car.  The transmission does not have a dipstick.  The starter is the
>non-hooded type, which I believe is correct for this engine and transmission.
>I installed the current rebuilt starter about 5 years ago.  It does not have
>many miles, but could have a lot of "starts" on it - as I was working on the
>car.
>
>Symptoms:  Historically, the car does not like to start when it is cold (I
>believe this is an engine problem, not a starter problem).  The starter seemed
>to work fine, although it did start out rather sluggish until it built up
>speed.  Now, it does not work at all.  Recently, it would barely turn the
>engine over, though it did eventually start.  A couple of days ago, it did not
>even turn the engine over.  There was just a loud click coming from the
>solenoid.  The headlights did not dim when the start button was pushed.  The
>battery has a fresh charge.  I am getting power all the way to the starter
>(via a test light).
>
>I removed the starter.  After removing the inspection band, I noticed that the
>through bolt (the one that connects to the solenoid) had a couple of metal
>strips which appear at one time to have been soldered to a slot in the end.
>The solder is gone and these metal strips are loose.  They are also twisted -
>I don't know if this is normal or not.
>
>Questions - Can or should these metal strips just be re soldered?  Any special
>technique?  What would have caused the solder to disappear?  There are some
>high torque starters on sale right now - would I be well advised just to get a
>new one?  What are the pros and cons of the high torque starter?  Would a high
>torque starter help with the starting in the cold?
>
>I am trying to keep the car as original as possible - at least from an
>appearance standpoint.  Although, with a non-correct engine and transmission,
>I'm not sure that I am that concerned with the looks of the starter.
>Obviously, this is not a trailer queen - I do drive it.
>
>Thanks in advance for all of your help.
>
>David Gunn
>Chico, CA
>


-- 
"Thinking is the hardest work there is. That's why so few people 
undertake it." - Henry Ford
Bill Pugh
1957 TR3
"Casper"
TS16765L
Wallace, CA