Starting Handles

[Ondergard]

I bought what was supposed to be a Morris Minor starting handle off E-bay a couple of months or so ago (Betsy didn't have her one when I bought her).

The other day I had occasion to resort to the starting handle - the battery had gone flat - and it was then I discovered that either a) it wasn't a Morris Minor starting handle; or b) my engine is badly out of kilter; because when I fed the (correct!) end of the starting handle through the hole in the bumper and into the engine compartment, the pointy end was beneath the locating end of the crank (whatever it's called) and no amount of fiddling would make them meet.

I know this is going to sound daft, but could anyone lend me, temporarily, a GENUINE Morris Minor starting handle (Betsy is a G reg 2 door) so I can be sure that the answer is a), before I go off on one to the supplier? I mean, if it IS the alignment of the engine in the compartment, however unlikely it sounds, then I'm in deep trouble...

I'll pay postage, and I'll get the handle back by return of post, if anyone could help.

[bmcecosse]

It should just be a straight run-in to the starter dog from the front bumper. If it's not - then possibly the engine is sitting low because of failed mounts - or possibly the front panels and bumper are mis-aligned!

[mike.perry]

Any starting handle should fit as long as it is not too thick to fit in the starter dog. It may be too long and stick out from the bumper but it should still engage. Stick a pole of some sort, a jack handle may do or even a long screwdriver, through the hole in the bumper and look at the starter dog on the crankshaft pulley to see if it will fit in the hole. If it will not go througth the bumper and under the radiator to the starter dog then you have a problem with alignment, which should look obvious as the engine should fit squarely on its rubber mountings, or the radiator is too low, which would be difficult as the bottom of the radiator should almost sit on the bottom of the radiator panel with the bottom of the header tank level with the top of the grill panel chrome strip.
Can you put your location on your intro, there may be someone in your area that can help

[Blaketon]

I think they're great . The other day my solenoid packed up, including the button under the bonnet. I was by myself and not near a hill but this was no problem . There is also the servicing aspect.

I had a spare solenoid in the garage. This leads on to the fact that when I was ordering some spares recently, I wanted to order another solenoid to keep as a spare. I was told that the button under the bonnet type are now illegal . I managed to buy two from another trader, who had not heard of a ban.

Has anyone got the definitive answer?

[mike.perry]

the button under the bonnet type are now illegal

Retrospective legislation comes to mind. They are listed in the Moss catalogue (P.66)

[bmcecosse]

Why would they be 'illegal' ?

[Blaketon]

Why would they be 'illegal' ?

Well if a child climbed into the engine bay, they may hit the button and injure themselves. I'm guessing its something like that, dreamt up by someone who has an overly vivid imagination and not enough to do (For example, I heard an item yesterday, that some "Think tank" have come up with the name "Winterval" to replace Christmas - it wasn't put over as if it were a joke ).

[Kevin]

Surely that only applies to modern cars otherwise we would not be allowed to have metal bumpers, have to have seat belts in the older cars and so on, I for one don't intend fitting a balloon in the middle of my steering wheel

[leyther8008]

Its easy to start the car while its in gear using just the solenoid I know I've done it myself.
I think thats something to do with it.