Ron
Lucas do seem to get a lot of criticism but from my experience, most is
undeserved, although I agree reliability took a nosedive with the
introduction of the alternator. Their starters/dynamos/wiper motors etc go
on for ever and if they do play up all that is normally required is to
clean up the commutator and fit new brushes. The same goes for distributors,
they far outlasted other makes and any problems were due to lack of
maintenance or faulty vacuum advance units. Most problems arose from the
corroded "bullet " connectors , faulty ground connections or badly fitted
accessories. Circuit protection was minimal (i.e fuses) and should have
improved as time went on but in the early days this was the norm. It always
used to amaze me that people would cut into wiring looms and just twist the
wires together and then wonder why problems started to arise.
Paul Tring
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Tebo" <mrtebo@telus.net>
To: "KKJ" <kkj@privat.utfors.se>
Cc: "alpines" <alpines@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 8:06 PM
Subject: Re: SV: "Hillman - " Starter
> Kristian:
>
> Although I hate to defend the "Prince of Darkness", I have to say that I
> have been abusing my early series starter for many years, and was so
> confident it would fail that I have an rebuilt unit all ready to go in!
> The reason for the abuse is that once or twice a month during the long
> winters (was minus 33 C here just over 2 weeks ago, and we won't plant
> until the end of May!) I start my Alpine and get it good and hot. The
> abuse is a result of deliberately not priming carbs or choking until the
> oil pressure comes up. I run the starter in 15-20 second bursts until I
> see pressure on the guage. This is hard on the starter but (I think)
> preserves the engine. It has been 18 years now, and still starts
> immediately when I choke it after the pressure appears.
>
> Ron Tebo - Series I - B9000627
>
> KKJ wrote:
> >
> > Still the modern starter are smaller and stronger.
> >
> > And that small bronze bearing that have to take the whole load. As an
engineer I have an unpleasant feeling about this. And that is also an
important argument!!
> >
> > It would be possibly to replace the bronze bearing with an roller
bearing!
> >
> > The starter in my Imp 875 cc. is the same as in my 1725 engines and the
starter is really spinning that engine, but its not "spinning" the 1725
engine. Its more like "dragging it around"
> >
> > We have cold winters here.
> >
> > I think I have 15 old type ( sliding gear engage by movement) starters.
two of them can be used (I hope) as reserve. Rest is junk. Bronze bearing
and commutator bad. (why haven't I get rid of them?)
> > I also have 6 of the "solenoid engaged" from Hunters. They are OK every
one. (Barrel commutator type). They seem to last better then the sliding
gear.
> > Some of these Hunter starters are even bigger then the others. I don't
know why.
> > The only disk commutator starter I have is from a Ford Cortina. On later
Hunters and Avangers maybe??
> >
> > The modern starter electrical motors are spinning faster because they
have a reduction gear and as a result the electrical motor are smaller
(Sometimes even smaller then the solenoid sitting beside it.)
> > Of course Lucas and others could have done this in the -50 -60, but the
production cost to make the reduction gear was probably to high at that
time.
> >
> > Kristian J
> >
> > ----- Ursprungligt meddelande -----
> > Fren: "alkon" <alkon@bigpond.com>
> > Till: "hillmanlist" <hillman@can-inc.com>
> > Skickat: den 24 mars 2003 01:02
> > Dmne: Re: SV: "Hillman - " Starter
> >
> > > This message forwarded by the Hillman List.
> > >
> > > All I can say is "Amen"
> > > My hotted up high compression
> > > (take 0.1" off head and see what you get for compression :-))
> > > Static compression tested at 175psi.
> > > Never had starter motor problems.
> > > Did have dead batteries 'cause I could never afford a decent one.
> > >
> > > Keith
> > > 55 Californian
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "jumpinjan" <jservaites@woh.rr.com>
> > > To: "KKJ" <kkj@privat.utfors.se>
> > > Cc: "alpine autox" <alpines@autox.team.net>; <hillman@can-inc.com>
> > > Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 12:41 PM
> > > Subject: Re: SV: "Hillman - " Starter
> > >
> > >
> > > > I don't understand why people think new technology will work better
if
> > > > you just get a good starter to begin with? I drove my Alpine, back
in
> > > > the '70s, for many years and never had any starter problems (and I
was
> > > > using 12.5:1 compression in my engine). I guess my recommendation is
to
> > > > buy a rebuilt one from Rick at S.S. and be done with it.
> > > > Jan
> > > >
> > >
> > > ====================================================================
> > > Please address all replies to messages from the Hillman List to:
> > >
> > > hillman@can-inc.com
> > >
> > > This will assure that all members of this list will benefit from the
> > > information in your reply.
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