Menu toggle

6 Volt High Torque starter motors

Robin

PCGB Honorary Member
Member
Has anyone experience of the 6 volt high torque starter motors versus a normal motor? are they worth the cost?
Any thoughts from the 356 community?
 
Robin

No experience with high torque just the standard system which works very well if all parts of the system are as the good Doctor prescribed.

Good battery, clean and tight electrical connections, a good Bosch starter and a good starter bush.

KTF

John

 
Thanks John, but with a new battery, power cable and connections 4 years old, starter motor 56 years and 168000 + miles old. I think the original brushes are worn down or not making good contact with the commutator so the starter motor needs reconditioning or at least replacing the old brushes, which is not a simple job.

The high torque starter motor looks enticing as a replacement, less current usage, faster cranking = better starting?

 
Hi Robin,

I don't have experience of the Hi Torque starter, but if you decide to have your original re-furbed speak to Rob at Broadway Electrical 01375 372782. He did a good job on mine a couple of years ago.

If you want to test the starter you can hot-wire direct to the battery with jump leads eliminating all the other variables - watch for sparks though (a switch would help here).

Keep the faith

Hugo

 
Thanks Hugo, I ordered the Hi Torque starter from Roger Bray Restorations which arrived in under 24 hours!

I shall report the results as soon as I have fitted it. Thanks for the info on the restorer.

 
I have received the 6volt HighTorque starter motor and have fitted it onto the car after removing the old original Bosch unit.

Although it is a bit of a fiddle because of where it is located it went in relatively easily and I even found a way to hold the "difficult" bolt in place using mole wrench and a block of wood. Connecting the electrics was straightforward and turning the key produced an unusual sound in that the electric motor part is a smaller high revving motor that is geared down to drive the pinion which pre-engages the flywheel mounted teeth and drives the engine to start it. The existing bellhousing mounted nose bearing used for the Bosch unit is not used and remains in place, until one might want to return the original unit. The turnover of the engine is noticeably faster than the standard unit.

I am pleased with the result.

I would love to show photos but I have no idea how to download them, this system is not as easy as on the 356 Registry site where you just attach the photo from a folder like it was being attached to an email.

 
I'd be interested to see photos as the slow starting on my 356 is one of it's most annoying habits!

To add them click on the '(Open Full Version)' link next to the Quick Reply: title, and then select Attach Images as per below

[attachment=Screenshot 2020-11-12 at 17.18.04.png]

Then do 'From Gallery / Upload' and then click the bottom link 'Upload images from your computer' That's how I did the image above and it looks like you can only do 1 attachment per post so you will need a few replies :)

 
[attachment=DSCF8960.JPG] Sorry about the multiple images of the same photo, why they are there I have no idea?

Here is another photo(s)

 
Hope these photos help.

I think I have almost got the idea of how to post photos.

But how does one remove the ones that are duplicated ?

Can someone who might be reading this please make it easier to post photos.

 
Robin said:
Hope these photos help.

Thanks Robin - photos look great. I'm going to attempt to get my old one out of the car first before I order one as that sounds like a 'fun' task from reading around, but then will definitely go the same route [s1]

 
How are you getting on with your starter Robin. I once fitted one to my land rover and was very impressed by the improvement in crank speed. Are you finding the same.

Ian

 
Hi Ian, The new 6 volt Hi Torque starter motor is working well, it does spin the engine much faster and gets the fuel pumped up quicker by the mechanical fuel pump, so after a short turn-over burst with the new starter the engine soon bursts into life.

I am very pleased with the result.

My next job is to replace the small springs in the distributor because after a run the engine is slow to return to tickover speed, it does so after a short while, but not fast enough to return the ignition timing back to normal. With a stroboscopic lamp you can watch the ignition return from its mechanically advanced higher speed running, setting.

The only thing is the car is ready to go but apart from a drive round the Silverstone GP circuit for their "Lapland Experience"

there is nowhere to go until May 2021, Happy Christmas.

 
Cheers Robin.

If the 356 has one then the other thing worth checking for idle and tick over return whilst your in there (That I had found perished on the old Land rover) was the vacuum pipe from the carb to the distributer.

Happy Christmas to you both and see you soon

Ian & Maria

 
I cannot check the vacuum advance pipe, as the Bosch distributor is not fitted with one. It is all down to the weights moving under centrifugal force (ie RPM) moving the weights outwards and mechanically advancing the spark timing. The weights will normally be returned to their slow RPM place, by means of the two small springs, thereby retarding the timing and returning the engine RPM to tickover speed, more rapidly. The problem with the springs is that they become stretched over time because the car has been driven quickly using higher revs, always within the speed limits of course!

Happy Christmas to you and Maria.

 
Hi Robin and Jo. Phil and Nora here....all seasonal best and Happy vaccines!. About your distributor return action...its a very interesting topic. Before I delve in I would just mention that you need to make sure your rotor arm is a good fit on the dizzy shaft. Its held in by being tight and also keyed by a recess arrangement. If it gets loose with age it will develop quite a backlash which will play havoc with your timing set-up as the engine warms up. Regarding the spring aspect....no harm to renew but when you fit them bend out the external locating posts a little, not so much that they foul anything when rotating though. In my experience it helps the set up if you do that. However, the main issue with non fully returning advance mechanisms is more connected with the need to fully overall the internals. Its easy to strip these units and easy to clean (oil gummy effect) and fettle them up. Use then a light machine oil and if the Bray Twins still stock the Teflon slider foils they are worth putting in too. Note....I've had distributors that respond perfectly to this treatment and idle perfectly hot or cold and others which wont respond. Another great factor in this can be the correct positioning of the carb return springs and their condition. Replace if in doubt and anchor them obliquely on the carb top so you get max pull at zero throttle. A lot of 356/912 guys get that wrong. Note that the factory sent them out with the oblique angle set up. You also need to make sure the ball- jointed throttle rods are totally free to rotate when at rest so to speak. Sorry...I guess you know all of this but I thought I'd run it past you. All the best and see you in Dover in a traffic queue next holiday time!!!

 
Hello Phil & Nora,

I have yet to strip the distributor and replace the return springs so your advice is welcomed for when I do.

We have been out in the 356 last week to drive the Silverstone Lapland experience and she was running fine so I will probably do the work in Jan or Feb. I take your point about the rotor arm which was replaced two years ago and I lubricate the felt pad a couple of times per year. The distributor shaft has minimal movement and the points have been replaced with a Pertronix electronic set up which had produced excellent spark timing on all 4 cylinders. It will tick over less than 500 rpm, exact speed unknown it's below the rev counter scale.

All that is needed is somewhere to drive to and enjoy the drive, if all goes well Beaune will be a good start.

Happy Christmas to you both and all 356 Register Members. Robin & Jo

 

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Back
Top