Few months back the bendix was sticking (starter would spin but not engage) so removed starter, bendix was damaged, the washer at the base was cracked and causing the bendix to jam sometimes.

Swapped the bendix and armature over from a dead starter I had and all has been good for a 4-5 months, but now it's doing it again.

I'll take it out today to see if its getting gummed up but are there any other causes for this happening.

Someone suggested the starter is not spinning up with enough speed. Brushes looked ok though.

It only does it occasionally, every other time it engages and turns over normally.

Cheers

_________________

68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

It's probably just not sliding very well. If you take the starter out, try just spinning the bendix by hand and you can feel/watch how easily it moves, and if it returns easily on it's own.

Dust from the clutch will get in it, and if you have a leaking primary gear then that will gum up the dust as well.

If it all looks ok, or just looks like the bendix isn't moving as freely as it would like, i would just give it a good clean, and put some graphite powder on it.

You could also get some jumper leads and a battery and test out the starter motor held in a vice, or on the ground under your safety boots (thongs). Should be pretty obvious if it's spinning fast enough.

also check the teeth on the ring gear for damage...

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

Thanks I meant at only spins, does'nt even throw out.



Thanks I took it out and it all looked clean and dry but it felt really gritty. Washed it out, helped a little and the graphite helped more but it still doesn't feel as smooth as it should.

I have gone thru this process before but after a whilel its jamming again.

Is it probably just stuffed?

Can a new bendix assembly be bought. I assume you need some kind of compressor for the sping. I managed to remove one with a vice and g-clamp once but it was very tricky.

_________________

68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

Give the bendix gear a good clean and wash in mineral turpintine - put it back without any additives - no graphite, WD40,oilor grease of anysort - the Turpentine will lubricate it enough. If it works well after the clean then later stops look for other reasons as above causeing it to gum up.

_________________
David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Yes a new bendix can be bought but they are a PITA to remove and refit.
I used to just pull anther starter off the pile, eventually I went and bought a factory recond (in UK) Lucas starter from Karcraft.

Or else you can fit a geMini pre-engaged starter, or a Bosch planetary geared one (from convertible mini) like I eventually did.
The Lucas starter was having trouble turning over my 1360 with 11:1 C/R and 20°BTDC static timing when cold. No worries now...

_________________
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.

yeah thanks guys, I have a couple of dead starters so I could remove those bendix and try them, or buy a new bendix.

....I have managed to get one apart once using a g-clamp, a bench vice and a very nervous 12 year old assistant wearing a safety shield.

...might see if I can make something better to compress the spring with.

It didn't seem very contaminated, but even after cleaning it didnt feel that great.


Cheers

_________________

68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)