Much as I'd like to have just fixed my starter motor, calling round a few specialists suggested it was no cheaper than just buying a new one and would take longer anyway. So, for £97, a new one was ordered. I tried to get one of better quality but they don't seem to exist - they all seem to be reconditioned. I guess that makes sense for what is essentially a 20+ year old engine design.
In a desperate attempt to try get this one to last longer, I've covered it in heat reflecting sheeting:
May not help but the stuff was only £5, so no big loss.
Fitting the starter motor back in is a huge PITA - I had to take the bash plate off and that's tricky - it's not held in very well because it was so difficult to get rivnuts into the chassis rails. Taking it off was also a shock - it's taken some real whacks, with a big dent I had to hammer out and even an inch-square hole! I didn't realise it was getting hit that much. Much swearing and sweating and the motor was back in.
Now, when I've been having starting problems, one of the things I noticed was that one of the wires from the ignition was getting warm. I'm told this is because the wire is just too thin for the connection to the starter (it doesn't go through a relay). So I've decided to redo the wires and fit a starter button while I'm there. I found a great little panel with button and fighter plane-style cover for the job.
I decided to fit it to the tunnel panel, between the gearstick and aux panel. First thing was to cut out a hole for the panel:
That's as far as I've got so far - more next time. Let's hope I get the wiring right, hey?
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