9 replies to this topic

[ac427]

Is replacing the ring gear on the flywheel all that is needed to be able to use a pre-engaged starter motor?

[nicklouse]

Yes and no. You might need to redo the electrics or you might not. It depends what you have now and what starter you plan on using.

[Retro_10s]

Here's a useful thread for you, that was created just a few days ago;

 

CLICK ME!

[ac427]

Here's a useful thread for you, that was created just a few days ago;

CLICK ME!

Thanks but i was just trying find out which was the better type of starter motor from a technical point of view there.

I'd like to go pre-engaged but i'm thinking about the amount of wiring changes that may be needed.

Edited by ac427, 15 August 2023 - 08:03 AM.

[mab01uk]

From memory when I swapped mine over many years ago (due to a later engine swap), the main wiring change was the thick black cable from the battery that runs under the car was not long enough as the original separate solenoid was bolted on the inner wing (with a short cable to the inertia starter) but the battery cable now needed to be longer to reach the solenoid on top of the pre-engaged starter motor.

Edited by mab01uk, 15 August 2023 - 08:41 AM.

[68+86auto]

Just use the original starter. They all start the engine fine.

[nicklouse]

 

Here's a useful thread for you, that was created just a few days ago;

CLICK ME!

Thanks but i was just trying find out which was the better type of starter motor from a technical point of view there.

I'd like to go pre-engaged but i'm thinking about the amount of wiring changes that may be needed.

 

The wiring side is covered in the electrical FAQs.

[growlerbearnz]

I switched from inertia to a Powerlite pre-engaged starter. The Powerlite RAC800 is intended to replace an inertia starter, so has the correct pinion gear. Ideally the ring gear would be replaced so the bevelled side is towards the starter, but it works fine without changing the ring gear. Mine is at 10,000km and the ring gear shows almost no wear despite having the bevel on the wrong side. 

 

The benefits for me are less wear on the ring gear (as the gears engage before they start turning), and the starter stays engaged even when the engine's trying to start (the inertia starter would sometimes get kicked out of engagement, but that's more due to the lightweight flywheel than any inherent shortcoming of the inertia starter)

Wiring was easy: I kept the existing solenoid and large starter cable, and simply connected the new starter's link/signal wire to the large cable at the starter. 

Edited by growlerbearnz, 15 August 2023 - 08:52 PM.

[imack]

I switched from inertia to a Powerlite pre-engaged starter. The Powerlite RAC800 is intended to replace an inertia starter, so has the correct pinion gear. Ideally the ring gear would be replaced so the bevelled side is towards the starter, but it works fine without changing the ring gear. Mine is at 10,000km and the ring gear shows almost no wear despite having the bevel on the wrong side.

The benefits for me are less wear on the ring gear (as the gears engage before they start turning), and the starter stays engaged even when the engine's trying to start (the inertia starter would sometimes get kicked out of engagement, but that's more due to the lightweight flywheel than any inherent shortcoming of the inertia starter)

Wiring was easy: I kept the existing solenoid and large starter cable, and simply connected the new starter's link/signal wire to the large cable at the starter.

I'm been running an inertia ring gear with a Powerlite slimline inertia compatible starter since 2016. Still using the original solenoid, the starter has a jumper wire that can be removed if you decide to modify the wiring to a pre engaged setup. Tooth count suits the inertia ring gear but the starter is actually a pre engaged unit. Pinion engages from the "wrong side" of the ring gear but it remains unmarked.
Modern cars don't have a 'lead' on their ring gears.

[timmy850]

I swapped my inertia starter for a Holden Gemini pre engaged starter. These were popular in Australia as they were easy to find at the wreckers and are compatible with the inertia flywheel. They just need the mounting holes to be slotted a little

Wiring on mine was easy:
Thick starter cable onto the starter motor
Trigger wire from the starter trigger terminal to the thick cable