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MG MGA - starter originality questions - EBAY scam

I think I've been had!!!! Last summer I won a starter on EBAY and went to put it on today for the first time. Here are the problems: 1) the case is M35G1 6/68 #25083J 2) the drive end plate is steel not aluminum and the factory casting # is 54253141 (correct?) BUT the mounting holes to block are slotted 3) the pinion ass'y on the armature is held in place with a spring 'ring' not the threaded nut. Will it work, probably! I think what I have here is rebuilt starter using misc other starter parts. Anybody have one on the bench apart or can give me any insight & words of wisdom? TIA Gary
x Gary

I have a Lucas starter in front of me that was installed in my MGA in the mid-1970's and replaced a few years ago with a newer rebuilt one. The casing numbers on the older one are: M35G1 L31 12V, 25022M 6 58. The mounting flange is cast and machined aluminum with the numbers 4253141 FR4 and 5" cast on the side facing the fly wheel. The mounting holes are round.
Steve K

Don't the date codes 6/68 and 6 58 tell you one is an MGB and the other MGA ?
gary starr

Gary - Yes I did think about 6/68 being for an MGB but that would be the case only, maybe. 62-67 used a somewhat similar design but the mounting bracket is different and so is the pinion end. The 68 pinion end is completely different using an enclosed pinion bracket. So my guess is the case and ring style armature are either aftermarket or from another marque. I don't have a cross reference book that will tell me what case #25083 was used on, could be a Spitfire or Humber Super Snipe for all I know. Anyone else had a thought?
x Gary

Is your starter bendix like this one of mine that Barney has posted on his site? http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tools/ts214.htm

I have 3 aftermarket starters for the MGA and all are like this one.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I bought an early B starter for my B-GT, when I got it home I was sure that it was an MGA starter, but it fits and works in the B. Never tried it in the A.
David Werblow

Early MGB starter is completely different, fatter and a unique drive, but early (MGA)ones fit, but less torque. Later MGB is pre-engaged, with solenoid mounted to the case. The MGA starter is essentially the same as all other smaller British cars (Spridget, Mini, T series, Spitfire/Herald, etc), and there are two spacings of mount bolts amongst the lot. Other differences are detail design changes as time goes by.

FRM
FR Millmore

Steve, thanks for the link to MGAGURU. Yep, that is the exact wire ring mine has. If you have three like this and you know them to be aftermarket, then I have to assume mine is an aftermatket and not correct also. Again, not that it won't work, it's just not original style. Gary
x Gary

It is only "aftermarket" in the sense that Lucas changed this detail, and I do not recall when, but it was a LONG time ago, and all service replacements after the change were the spring ring type.

FRM
FR Millmore

This thread was discussed between 23/02/2013 and 25/02/2013

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