In the process of pulling the block off the gearbox and noticed that the teeth on the flywheel are badly worn on one side, I take it I need a new one?
The starter motor sometimes spins and doesn't turn over the engine, I'm guessing the worn flywheel would be causing this?

its more likely to be the bendix gear on the starter motor sticking. this is fairly common. the stater spins like crazy but the pinion does not get sent crashing into the flywheel gear to make the engine turn over.

two choices
1. refurb the bendix gear, and probably the starter at the same time (new bearings, brushes etc)
2. get a new pre-engaged starter from Heritage MG for not much dosh (i hear they are a good thing)

do a search on here and i'm sure you will find a thread or two about the pre-engaged starters.

michael

_________________
the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

So the worn flywheel won't need replacing?

i had the same problem and i replaced the starter motor, however when i later changed the clutch i found that the ring gear (which are the teeth on the fly wheel) needed also be changed as they were badly worn and my also contribute to ruining the new starter so i bleeive it worht changing both

_________________

a girlfriend would be cheaper

Thanks

If you fiit a Holden gemini starter (lots of threads on here and not hard ) it pull the starter motor drive onto the other side of the ring gear. Puts off changing the ring gear for another 30 years.

Also has the advantage of spinning the engine faster on wind-up.

Interesting, thanks for the info Mike

ring gear teeth should be straight cut and all clean. if any look like theyve been chewed away, replacement is about $70 for another ring gear.
existing one needs to be chiselled/cut off, and new one needs to be heated and expanded, and then fitted

_________________
Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

So if it's not a concourse restored car try the Gemini starter , the gemini starter uses the other side of the ring gear to what the original starter motor did . Or try a used flywheel with a decent ring gear , fitting a new ring gear is a tricky procedure for the uninitiated .

_________________

Go with the Gemini option - much easier to install etc. etc. etc. coz you dont have to bugger about trying to change the ring gear or find another flywheel with decent ring gear. I believe you have to do a little bit of modification to the 2 bolt holes but that is all. Yes - much simpler to do.

See ya

_________________
Rod
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/Rodney/

I've got a Gemini Starter - great investment. I've got 10.5:1 compression and it spins like, well, something that spins really fast

All you need to do is elongate the mounting holes on the starter and it bolts straight in.
Best, simplest conversion I've ever done.

_________________
Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

Any particular Gemini model or were all the starter motors the same?

TE??

Help me out here fellas??

_________________
Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

Dunno the number codes, but any RWD geMini will do.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

<edit - correct model #s> Pretty sure TX/TC/TDTE/TF/TG PETROL all fit
as they all have the same 161Z Isuzu donk (RB is fwd and different block)
The diesel is anyones guess, but I'd doubt it!

Some other alternatives here:
http://forums.ausmini.com/viewtopic.php?t=11151

_________________
Too many cars, and too little time.