Pre_engaged starter motor rebuild & questions

[nomad]

The starter on my hunter has been acting up for a while so I decided to refurb  it

It's now back together but there's still dead patches where it won't start if I turn the shaft slightly it starts fine  
Am I missing something obvious??

The page below has some useful fault finding info
easyautodiagnostics.com/misc-index/starter-motor-on-car-tests-1

Pics will follow soon for the benefit of folk wanted to know what's inside a pre_engaed starter but have more sense than to take one apart

[dodgerover]

Dead segments in the comm at a guess? I think you may be able to repair it.

[nomad]

^ Thanks for the suggestion

I ended up taking 2 starters apart, both have burn sections on the comm 
The brushes are paired opposite each other so if one fails the opposite one should still work. On mine, I have dirty contacts directly opposite each other so both fail
I tried cleaning them gently but they soon burn again.
Speedy spares list new brushes at under a fiver a set so that will be the next "fix-it" attempt .

Pics for info / as promised / "why not?" etc.

Inertia starter motor.

The teeth shoot along the shaft when it spins to engage with the flywheel.


Close-up of the burnt section .


Pre-engaged starter motor.

Very similar to above but the piggy-back solenoid pulls the gear to mesh with the flywheel


Exploded view of the solenoid & lever system .


Never a dull day!
 

[hohocc]

Is that pre-engaged starter for a hunter? If so do you have any part numbers/where it was used type info?
Thanks!

[93fxdl]

If a particular pair of segments keep burning, it sounds like they are lower than the adjoining segments, to refresh the motor properly you will need to skim the contact surface on a lathe, then slightly undercut the insulation between segments and finish with the new brushes, making sure they move freely in their holders.
Ttfn Glenn

[nomad]

^ Thanks Glenn.
It's good to know the correct way - even though I'm trying to refurb it without a lathe. I can't see any difference on the problem segment so I'm hoping new brushes will be enough to fix it.

Jul 10, 2016 19:49:17 GMT hohocc said:

Is that pre-engaged starter for a hunter? If so do you have any part numbers/where it was used type info?

Hi,
My workshop manual list a few different Lucas starter motors, shame that the starter on mine has a 5-pointed Chrysler logo cast in it so something different

Look for a part number stamped into the body of the motor to identify Lucas units.









My Chrysler unit


More info in the Hunter album
s252.photobucket.com/user/Nomad_Geordie/slideshow/1972%20Hillman%20Hunter%20Estate

[hohocc]

Thanks for the info, I've got a factory workshop manual but the electrical section is missing so those page shots are very helpful!
I've got a 1972 Hunter saloon down here in New Zealand, needs some work but I'm the second owner (Mum was the first). Very keen to get a better starter on it than the old inertia engaged type.
Cheers!

[nomad]

Another public service announcement for Hunter owners!

Useful dimensions for anyone looking to replace a Hunter starter


New brushed fitted - note length compared to the worn originals.
For best results, use a gas powered soldering iron or plumbers blowtorch


Shame the problem was the rotating commutator so the new brushes didn't help  
Nice - NEW! - motor (not cheap tho' )


 

[dodgerover]

Bit late but if you know anybody handy with a lathe you could probably skim that old comm up and make it useable again

[nomad]

^ I tried that after I found the new brushes didn't fix it.
The local auto-electrician had a look and said it couldn't be skimmed again
Not sure if that means it had been skimmed before and was now past it, or if my attempts had been the final straw

It hurts but sometimes I've just got to admit defeat

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!