What year is my 1275 Midget engine?

[Captain flint]

Thanks to everyone's advice which has helped me fit a1275Midget engine to my Morris Minor.
I need to know what year this engine is so I can make sure I have the right starter motor
The starter motor is very sluggish,but was O.K when used on my old 1098 engine.
The 1275 looks like a recon engine as the number plate has been removed,and block skimmed,hence problem.
Yes I have checked engine to chassis earth.
Many thanks,
Martin.

[amgrave]

I think we might need a few more clues

[philthehill]

Regarding the starter motor - the Pt No: of the starter motor as listed by MOSS for both the Minor 1098cc and 1275cc Midget/Sprite is GEU9405.
Look on the body of the starter motor and the Lucas number for the 1275cc Midget/Sprite is either 25149 or 25079.
There are variations in the build/spec of the starter motor but that has no overall effect on the performance of the starter motor if it is in good condition.
I suspect that your 1098cc starter motor is able to cope with the compression/turning over of the 1098cc engine but has a job with the compression/turning over of the 1275cc engine which indicates that your starter motor is not in the best of health.
A 1098cc Minor starter motor in good condition should easily cope with the requirements of turning over a 1275cc Midget engine.
I have a standard Minor starter motor in good condition fitted to my very high compression 1380cc (1275cc) engine and it copes no problem.
Therefore my recommendation is to replace the starter motor if you are not happy with the starters performance.
Phil

[IslipMinor]

The same as Phil - our 1380 has 10.5:1 CR and spins over very quickly on the standard A-Series starter motor.

How many teeth are there on the starter pinion? There can be 9T or 10T - 10T will spin the engine over faster, assuming that battery and connections are all good.

First check is all the connections and also the state of the battery - what size battery do you have?

After that can you test another starter in your engine, or your starter in another engine?

[Declan_Burns]

I had a similar issue with a sluggish starter and replaced it only to find is was still the same. In the end I traced it to a faulty solenoid on the bulkhead. It might be worthwhile checking the earth connection on the solenoid which can also lead to starting problems.
Regards
Declan

[bmcecosse]

Make sure the ignition is not too advanced - and 'kicking back' against the starter.

[Captain flint]

Hi all,
Acted on advice,but looks like a duff starter motor!
O.K so what do you recon, 9t or 10t?
Cheers,
Martin.

[IslipMinor]

Martin,

I had to buy a new starter a few years ago and the Lucas exchange unit came with 10T, where the old one had 9T. The cranking speed was and still is noticeably faster than with the original starter - 10/9 = ~11% faster. To run faster with the same load requires more current draw, so I would think that having a 60Ah battery helps.

[philthehill]

I think it will be a matter of accepting what is fitted to the starter motor you procure unless you have the means of changing the starter Bendix and have either the 9 or 10 tooth Bendix available to fit.
Both Bendix will work satisfactorily with the flywheel fitted to your engine. The speed of turning over is not critical when starting up but the ability to turn the engine over without draining the battery and syphoning off current needed for the ignition is.
Phil

[Captain flint]

Hi many thanks all.
In conclusion I am gong to purchase a new or recon motor depending ow much!
Will take advice and go for a 9 tooth.
Cheers all,
Martin.

[bmcecosse]

Starter motors (and dynamos) are sometimes given away free -I've had to bin several of each after failing to find takers for them - free!