I have a gemini starter on my race car and i even turned my ring gear around to make sure the teethe were taking the starter bendix every time and it works great.
I just filed the holes out with a round file i must admit it took a long time but worked great.

Ok so your earths are fine then i would check the starter to make sure its not leaking down or drawing excessive currant and cuasing premeture soliniod faliure.

think about it most of the solinoids have been on the cars since they were born newer ones are made of lesser materials but not to the point where they last you 4months or so.sorry to say its something other than the solinoids giving up.

LOL! The 5th one is starting to play up now. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Gemini starter it is, along with a new starter solenoid.

_________________
Jonathan
http://photobucket.com/albums/y64/FatMaserati/

Hmmm... I'd check the ign/starter switch, may be time for a new one.
Put a meter across its start contacts with key turned (pull white/red wire off solenoid)- any reading much above zero, I'd find another switch.

_________________
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.

so ugh Mas, do you think youve got it earthed properly?


Heritage MG (smithfield, Sydney) sells MGB/1275 Solenoids, $30
new lucas starters $180

they also deliver in aus for a good price if that helps

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

I'm getting the new starter today, as well as a new solenoid.

I'm fairly sure it's the starter drawing too much power and fa-karking the solenoid. Trying to start it today, it worked, but the starter sounded really heavy, like it was really struggling to turn, and no, before you all scream FLAT BATTERY, it's not a flat battery (checked) but it kinda has similar symptoms (that's if it works at all).

_________________
Jonathan
http://photobucket.com/albums/y64/FatMaserati/

With the ignition on but not turned to start, check to see if there is any voltage at the solenoid. Any voltage - no matter how small will mean there is current flowing in the coil - not enough to pull it in but enough to keep it "warm" and hence premature failure. If there is a voltage at the solenoid then check the ingition switch as the Doc suggests.

_________________
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!

Got the Gemini starter in today. Sounds frikkin awesome! Much nicer sound than a Mini starter! Kinda sounds more "electrical" and less "mechanical". And it means I don't need a starter solenoid anymore, so there's no more to break!

Turns out the starter motor was far-karked. As soon as Cono (MiniCraft mechanic) took it off, you could smell this terrible electrical burning smell.

Seriously, the Gemini starter is brilliant! Starts first time, everytime, and is a "smarter" way of starting a motor, if you know how it differs to the original Mini one.

_________________
Jonathan
http://photobucket.com/albums/y64/FatMaserati/