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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Starter

Hi everyone.
Managed to blow my TD's starter - it just doesn't smell nice and cannot turn the motor.
This raises a couple of questions. Should I have the old one rebuilt or should I buy a new one from Moss? The price seems reasonable, about £75 and I believe that a rebuilt will be more expensive?
Another thing is that my car has been rebuilt to negative earth - does this affect the starter's polarity? I believe that the dynamo must be correct polarized but what about the starter, is the rotation direction depending on the polarity?

Kind regards
Torben
Torben Olesen

No starter turns the same way with either polarity.
no procedure like polarizing required.

From an originality standpoint you will be happier with your old one rebuilt.

Let us know what your outcome is.
Cheers,
Bob
Bob Jeffers

TORBEN,
there is no need to sopend all of that money for a new one from any of the T Type suppliers,, I have been using a starter from an MG midget,, they are available from your FLAPS for a lot less money,, the only modification needed is to file down one of the heads of the "through Bolts" as it interfers with the mounting plate slightly,,

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

If you search the archives for "Starter Motor" or "Starter" you will find others that have used these Midget starters...

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Hi Torben,

Go down the Midget route if you want, but if you have an original 'dated' starter it can be repaired so easily, at least in the UK, where many firms offer such a service. All the early 1950s Lucas starters are basically the same, and were fitted to many makes and models.

If it's smelling the armature has probably burnt out, and can be rewound, as can the field coils. Bushes are available and once rebuilt it should last many years, needing only an infrequent brush change!

Cheers,

John
J C Mitchell

Hi Torben,
I was unable find someone here to rebuild mine last year, but did find I could buy a rebuilt one from
Rock Auto http://www.rockauto.com
rather cheaply. Here's the info from that order:
-------------------------
1954 MG TF 1.3L L4
BECK/ARNLEY part no. 1870011 (187-0011)
Starter Motor $ 34.79 +core charge $ 13.00 =$ 47.79
Shipping Ground $ 10.55
Order Total $ 58.34
-------------------------
It appeared to be a correct replacement. I kept my old one for possible future rebuild, as I thought the $13 core charge was too low a price to "sell it" to them. I'm sure shipping would be more than to me, but about the same, or less, than if you bought one from Moss.
A W Parker

Torben,

It is possible to rebuild your starter yourself. not difficult and all parts are available including field coils and armature.

John

52 TD

J Scragg

Don't pitch the old starter! People are always looking for dated cases. It took me three years to find the correct date stamp on a starter frame that closely matched the manufacturing date of my '53 TD. They can be rebuilt. If you put in a replacement, just post the old unit on eBay or a TD site along with the date code. The starters are one of about 6 or 8 things that have a date code on them. They are nice to have for originality.

Mark
Mark Strang

Hello

Hi all
Thank you so much for your input. Haven't decided yet which way to go, but noting will be thrown away no matter what I decide.
Torben
Torben Olesen

My 2 cents, IMHO:
I would have the orignial re-built.
No experance with the new ones ...just a gut feeling that old stock re-built is probley better than new in the long run.
David Sheward

I took mine to a local rebuilder. He had no trouble getting a new field coil for it and it has been fine ever since. Cost about $70 as I recall.
P.W. Lester

I lost my starter a few years ago and took it to the rebuilder here in Mpls. and his advice was to junk it. Mine was totally destroyed inside and to rebuild would have far exceeded the Moss starter. Hated to do it but sometimes ya gatta do what you gatta do.
Tom Maine (TD8105)

This thread was discussed between 23/05/2012 and 26/05/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.