Practically Classics Forum

LRS101 is still easy to obtain and reasonably priced so, unless you plan to use the car rarely and can afford to have it off the road, maybe a new unit would be the best way to proceed?

Plenty of sources, of which this is one.

Hi Pete,
Thanks for the rapid response,confirms my thoughts.Next task is to source a replacement and ship it here to France.
Regards
John

Thanks jpb for supplier,£46.80 plus shipping.

Here we go again,more head scratching.
New starter motor fitted,new battery fitted (fully charged) only connections made are live to solenoid from battery (pos.)and feed to starter motor and battery earth (neg),press button on solenoid,result click at starter and horrible smell of 'eggs';seemingly from battery.
Second attempt with battery of dubious pedigree (old one known to hold charge from full for short time and not have much 'puff'),result starter engages and turns engine but produces hot and smoking earth cable connection from block to body.
Anyone any ideas as to what's going on
Regards
John

Sounds VERY much to me like the starter motor is faulty - drawing far too much current. Just 'cos it's new doesn't mean it's fault-free, all too often on so-called "new" components for classics these days.

Try the old motor?

As mentioned a few posts back - does the engine turn OK by hand? If the engine is jammed (or the starter gear jams when engaging) it will give these symptoms.

I have to agree with Luxobarge, also have you checked to see if the starter ring gear is damaged? the starter could be jamming in the teeth, has the starter 'Bendix' , the gear on the starter, the correct number of teeth?

John Simpson.

Hi guys thanks for the replies,but I'm still at loss as to why the problem (hot/smoking earth strap) occurs when the 'inferior'battery actually turns the engine and the 'good' battery does not and only produces the 'egg'smell.Could it possibly be due to a poor engine to body earth?
The new starter is the correct one and is the same as the origional,it engages the ring gear,which looked OK when I rebuilt the engine,and turns the engine.
How can I check to see if the new starter is drawing too much current? Returning it on suspicion is a problem as I purchased it from UK and shipping back and forth is expensive,so I would have to be certain that it was faulty.
I am thinking that refitting the earth strap from the engine to the body is worth a try and even fitting a second strap just to be sure,is that worth a go?

Regards
John

Battery polarity correct I.e. have you connected it to the correct config, sounds too simple but it would explain some of your symptoms

If you are doubting the earth from engine to body put a jump lead from the earth terminal of the battery direct to the engine and try it. this will eliminate a poor engine to body connection. I don't think this is your problem as a poor earth usually shows up as a sluggish starter/ partly discharged battery not the hissing as if something is shorting out.

Just a quick update for all those good enough to have offered comments.
Battery was 'cream crackered' despite being brand new it had not been used since purchsed about 18 months ago,suppliers said tough luck on warranty claim.
Earth connection redone from block to body and another added for good measure.
New sarter motor fitted.Good battery fitted.
The old girl turns like a 'goodun' now

Thanks again for all input.
John

johnc wrote:Battery was 'cream crackered' despite being brand new it had not been used since purchsed about 18 months ago,

I refer the honourable gentleman to the post on page 1 where TerryG wrote:just because a battery is new doesn't mean it is good, i have had two DOA over the last 5 years or so)