Just a quick heads up about fitting a starter motor support bracket.

On my 1966 500-F, the thin part of the gearbox housing that goes over where the starter motor plugs in had broken off, I presume through vibration. The previous owner had made a crude support bracket to support the starter.

I bought a nice looking one, see attached, to replace it. I also had the gearbox repaired / welded. But after that I found a better intact gearbox.

When I came to fit the support bracket it wasn't obvious that there was a particular way round that the circular grip to go and on tightening, it broke

I've now had it MIG welded together and will try again (the other way round).

Hope this helps someone.

Tim

Hi Tim , I had exactly the same problem with one of those brackets. I had even offered it up with the gearbox & starter out of the car to check the fit. It was only when I nipped up the bolt with it on the car that the starter clamp ring broke. I have not had it welded up but I removed the broken clamp and fed a heavy duty cable tie through the support hole and round the starter body which I think will give adequate support to the starter motor. I have seen a few 500 gearboxes with that upstand on the bell housing broken off. When I got my 500 the starter as a little noisy and discovered the nuts were loose so always worth checking