Well, I finally got around to yanking the starter from the '85 to see why it free-spins sometimes.

I *was* going to swap it right out for my '80 starter, but THEY ARE DIFFERENT. The bolt pattern is the same. The starter nose's pilot diameter is the same, and in the same place. The solenoid is in the same place. The connections are compatible if not identical.

HOWEVER... the '85 starter has 11 teeth on its gear, and the '80 starter has a MUCH smaller 8-tooth gear.

Note that otherwise, the starters are identical. (I verified this with a calipers, not just the ol' eyeball gauge) This means that, in order for the larger gear to work, the later transmissions must have the starter spaced further outboard.

This means that the starter you use must be from the same or compatible year as the TRANSMISSION.

The flywheels are the same diameter. I used an '83-85 flywheel with the '80 tranny and starter with no problems. Therefore, the distance difference has to be made up with the transmission case.

 

Wow, something new everyday huh?

I have a series 3 starter in my garage that I'd have no problem parting with. If you need it let me know.

 

That's an interesting observation. I've had a series 4 starter in a '74 ribcase bellhousing and only needed to grind a little from the bellhousing to fit the back of the starter's nose piece. It worked perfectly on my REPU's stock flywheel as well.

I don't have the starter anymore but I got another series 4 last year. It's been in my series 1 tranny meshing with my REPU's stock flywheel since then. It didn't require any grinding to the SA bellhousing.

I think I counted the teeth and found them to be the same amount. Or maybe I didn't; either way, it's been a great little (small and light) starter and will be going into my MG project when an engine becomes available for it.

 

Hmmm, that i didn't know.... i swear my dad has an 85 starter in his sa.... *ponder*