starter motor problem

About 3 months ago my starter motor died. I wasnt able to get around to putting in a new one until tonight, so it has been sitting around for 3 months. When I turn the key the starter motor spins, but the engine isnt turning over. I tried the old "whack the hell out of it with a stick" trick, but no luck. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help!

I just went through this 3 weeks ago. Tap(hit it) it with something hard-I used a british racing green crowbar-tap on the top , or/and-- Put in gear and rock. Charge up battery and check all connections-clean ground . Mine still does it and I bought a new starter to put on-I still carry the crowbar.

I have had the same problem with my 72 Midget. I think the rebuilt Lucas starters have a rather short life. They always seem to go bad the same way, they spin but don't engage with out a whack with a metal bar.
The best solution is to replace the Lucas starter with the Isuzu starter. It bolts right on and is a gear reduction starter, it engages in the front of the flywheel instead of the back side, incase the teeth are getting worn on the back. Its even smaller than the original. The part number is 16878. Many auto parts stores will have it in on the shelf.

Thanks guys, I will go give it another whack. I think I will look into the Isuzu starter, as this is the third one for me.

I agree with David (MGGuy) Thorn on the Isuzu Trouper II starter. You might have to file a little bit on the collar but otherwise, it's an easy fitup. $90.00 at Advance Auto - less $30.00 for a core if you have one.

Edit - I've fitted these to a 1098 and a 1275 engine so I know they will work.
I'm not certain on the 9-- engines or the 1500 engines.

Um, I'm sure you've tried this, but just in case, after you remove the Lucas starter and before you pay for the Isuzu, connect the old Lucas starter directly to a 12V battery and see how far the Bendix spins up the shaft. If not at all, it's Isuzu for youzu.

On the other hand, sometimes the Lucas will lose one of the retaining screws found on the end of the starter opposite from the Bendix drive. In this case, the plate covering that end of the starter will be retained by only one screw instead of two, and the end cover plate will have rotated somewhat off the centerline of the starter each time the starter was fired, carrying the starter shaft and commutator with it. The starter will try to do its job, but the starter's shaft will now be off center because the end plate will have shifted because of the missing retaining screw...you get the idea. It's a fifty-cent fix. Use Loctite if it turns out that it's a missing-screw problem.

Good luck. Tell us what happened next.