Hi everyone,

Just a quick question regarding replacement starter motors. My starter is feeling very tired and, despite a bit of a recon the last time it was in for some work, it's still struggling to turn the engine over.

I've seen a few 'up-rated', or 'high power' starter motors on the market (both Ricambio and Middle Barton stock them), and I'm thinking of completing the switch.

Has anybody fitted one of these? And, if so, can you provide feedback on their functionality, ease of fit etc?

Pete

Hi Pete,
I've never fitted one of these, but unless you're running a very high compression ratio, you shouldn't need an up-rated starter motor.


Depending on what work was carried out on your starter there may have been something overlooked.


a standard check would cover brushes and commutator, but if earth to the field magnets is damaged then the high resistance would cause it to run like the brushes were worn.


Are you able to borrow a good running starter to compare? If you're anywhere near West Berkshire you could borrow one of mine if it fits.


Michael

Even the best Fiat 500 starter and battery combo has a laid-back sound compared with expectations. I had a recon. motor which lasted only a short time as they hadn't replaced the brass bush at the dog-gear end. When I did that properly (easy job), it made a big difference.

MOD500 said:

Hi Pete,
I've never fitted one of these, but unless you're running a very high compression ratio, you shouldn't need an up-rated starter motor.

Are you able to borrow a good running starter to compare? If you're anywhere near West Berkshire you could borrow one of mine if it fits.
Michael

Click to expand...

Thanks, Michael, for the response.

The engine has been up-rated (properly) to a 595ss standard (re-bore to 595, up-rated barrels, pistons and barrel plate, crank/crank-shaft, main bearing and con-rod bearing, re-ground high lift cam-shaft, skimmed and ported head, Dell'orto side-draft, twin-choke carb, etc. etc.), so it will be pushing about 36-38BhP.

Still, I suspect that an original starter motor in good working order should still suffice, I guess I'm just wondering if one of these more modern units will be a better bet than replacing like-for-like. I hear that they have a bit more kick and better longevity/reliability?

Some way from West Berks I'm afraid, but many thanks for the offer to borrow a starter!

Hi Peter;
Before you go spending hard-earned dosh on an up-rated starter, may I suggest that you first of all remove the starter and have it checked by a competent auto-electrician. I was having problems with my starter--on a cold start it struggled, as if the battery was faulty. I had the battery checked--all OK, so I removed the starter and handed it to my normal auto-electrician who discovered that there was a 'dead-spot' on the armature. They have rectified the problem, and it was a LOT cheaper than renewing the starter .

An uprated starter will be a higher KW output motor so it will use more electricity. Probably not much though.
A more modern starter should be more efficient and reliable, You would hope that 50 years of manufacturing progress would count for something!


That said, there's not a lot to go wrong with a starter motor.

MOD500 said:

,You would hope that 50 years of manufacturing progress would count for something

Click to expand...

[emoji3]
... something...but I don't know what thing.[emoji3] We also have a modern 500 which needed replacement of the entire clutch hydraulic pipe setup at two years old and has door handles made of tinfoil....so much for progress stay original. A Fiat 500 doesn't need to be going round at high speed to start.

When i had a hard time to find a 500 starter i used a 650 starter which is stronger. I just kept the 500 head with the bendix gear and modify the slots so it can align with the slots of the 650 body. Easy mod with great results.
Thomas