MGB: Reduction Gear Starter

I've seen wildly different prices in reduction-gear starters for the MGB.

Are these all essentially the same hardware, or are there el-cheapos out there, to be avoided.

I think they are basically the same - $200. to $350. depending on the vendor - do a search - this was discussed within the last 2-3 weeks.

contact Hap Waldrop on this forum he sells them, I have one.
RS
http://www.acmespeedshop.com

rrmgb Wrote:

They require some wiring mods. You wires won't be long enough from the battery.

Swamperca Wrote:

Oh ya how true. I bought one and when I got ready to put it in the car it needed so much wiring changes (Length) that I sent the thing back and got a new stock one. Also I don't like the sound they make, if I wanted an old Dodge I'd buy one.

Maybe their not all the same?

My RG starter does not make the Dodge yelping sound. Also, my wiring is original.

Well, I installed mine a month and a half ago on a '73 and there were no wiring mods needed so I cant understand what you mean. Its a stretch for the battery cable but it worked just fine. The noise is different but I'm getting use to it. The only significant problem is the positive terminal is on top of the starter and if not protected, the bottom distributor cap clamp when released can make contact with it. NOT a good situation, so some sort of cover is needed on the terminal.
RS

Mine came with a rubber cover for the top contact point.

Try britishstarters.com

i put a gear reduction starter (that i bought off evilbay) last summer and have been very pleased with it. however, just this week it has started making a shriek sound about the time the car starts and the bendix releases from the flywheel. is this the dodge noise 'yall mention? my mechanic-consultatant (i do the work as much as i can, he is the back-up) says its nothing to worry about and one car he had did this for years. is he right or wacko? do i have something to worry about or is this "character?"

Guys, here's a little tip for you all on the GR starters, once you bought the gear reduction starter which has a mod the the front housing and the adapter plate, you don't ever need to buy another one, the starter they use are common to many cars, Isuzu, Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, and many mores, so if you ever have a failure you just go get the off the shelf starter, and swap out the front housing (two bolts) and the front adapter plate. Most of the starters are made by Keith Gustfason, and he has a network of vendors, I used to sell them, but doing small orders, rather than stocking units didn't work well for me, and actually becamse a distraction to my main busines of engine and carb rebuilding, so I quit offering them, but it's a great product, on my 67 MGB, and any A-series spridget, their are no wiring changes, the later model MGB already have a decent starter stock, so not as popular with that crowd, but if you have the older Lucas starter, then it's a night and day improvment. On early MGBs you have to get a little creative with your bottom bolt, but it's well worth the trouble. I don't about the Dodge sound, it basicly the same technology used on every modern starter made today, but it beats the hell out of the hit two times, kicks out, hit two times, kicks out BS that the early Lucas starter does, and it weight considerably less than the old starters, and is easy to R&R should you have to.

rrenzulli Wrote:

jrhickmn Wrote:

maybe, but it worked fine for about a year...actually, it works fine now, it just makes this noise that makes me nervous. don't know if that changes it, but there you go.

Speedracer Wrote:

Britishstarter.com ... mine's (Nippondenso) been in 4 years and has been terrific. The install was a little bit of a bitch but well worth it. I did have to rotate the mounting flange on the starter to get it in right. I was warned of that and it was a very simple procedure. I also had to get a shorter mount bolt for one of the holes. Wiring was fine. My B is a 66.