rich71 Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 Hi, I have fitted a new Powerlite starter to my k series, what a pain getting it in!.....everything all in place and wired, a fan fare and turn of the key produced the sound of the starter motor spinning but no engagement of the flywheel. I have used the spacer, is this required? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 7, 2018 Member Share Posted January 7, 2018 Is it an RAC430?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich71 Posted January 7, 2018 Author Share Posted January 7, 2018 Yep rac430 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 7, 2018 Member Share Posted January 7, 2018 There's some information in the discussion linked from post #2.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich71 Posted January 8, 2018 Author Share Posted January 8, 2018 Reads as though spacer is required, which is what it said when I bought it.... could it be just out of line with the flywheel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted January 8, 2018 Leadership Team Share Posted January 8, 2018 Have you compared the new Powerlite to your old starter with regard to the starting position of the gear?If using the Caterham spacer it's not possible to misalign the starter such that the gear will completely miss the flywheel ring, however if there isn't enough ground off the block for that particular starter it's possible to bolt the starter on at a slight angle. This can cause damage to the starter gear, but if it's particularly bad it might be that the angle isn't allowing the gear to engage with the ring gear at all. I'd start by checking you definitely have clearance between the block and the starter.I'm not familiar with the Powerlite, but also ensure that the solenoid isn't fouling on the block. The current WOSP/Brise units fit fine without additional grinding, that's not historically been the case with the Brise though.Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich71 Posted January 8, 2018 Author Share Posted January 8, 2018 Hi,I did indeed have to grind a bit off the webbing on the block to clear the connector until starter and spacer were flush before bolting...that was quite a struggle holding it from underneath and checking through the top with the torch, repeat several times...i can also see from underneath now the clearance is there and can pass a cable tie behindThat is correct, I also didn't think it would be possible to misalign the starter as it is fixed via the centre diameters, which leads me to thinking the gear is not reaching the flywheel as it has obviously got to the end of its travel to wizz awayI am going to remove the starter and compare the 2 gear travels but i would have thought i would have noticed 10mm or so shorter travel on a quick glance before fitting as that is what it would at least be to miss the flywheel as i can see the wear marks on the old starter gear over this distance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich71 Posted January 8, 2018 Author Share Posted January 8, 2018 Problem identified, the gear starts 10mm closer to the motor than the original, making the standard spacer 10mm too thick......now a question of what to do about it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted January 8, 2018 Leadership Team Share Posted January 8, 2018 Send it back!Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sheldon Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 I fitted this motor without any snags and it is brilliant. Call Powerlite in Birmingham and find out what is going on. They are very helpful and design and make the unit themselves. Email me if you want to chat.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich71 Posted January 9, 2018 Author Share Posted January 9, 2018 the distance i have measured from starter (including spacer) to teeth on flywheel is as they expect it to be so that is a positive sign, it's just that the gear doesn't go that far (or beyond by an amount to mesh) but i am in conversation with them and hopefully something can be sorted, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich71 Posted January 9, 2018 Author Share Posted January 9, 2018 the very nice people at Powerlite are going to sort everything out and make it suitThank you Powerlite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sheldon Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 Glad to hear a positive outcome re Powerlite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 18, 2018 Member Share Posted January 18, 2018 Is it a one-off problem or are they supplying them in different versions? Or is it something to do with that spacer?ThanksJonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich71 Posted January 18, 2018 Author Share Posted January 18, 2018 Well I am unsure, the Position of the starter face to the ring gear with the spacer is as they expect so presume it is a one off problem with the starter I bought, they are sorting it out though and it’s not spring yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 18, 2018 Member Share Posted January 18, 2018 ThanksJonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich71 Posted January 24, 2018 Author Share Posted January 24, 2018 Modified starter received, fitted and stated, the difference is it has a longer gear to previously so starts closer to the ringI must say Powerlite responded very well to the problem and rectified the starter promptly and without any fuss, that is good customer service so thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1WEL Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Hi Rich71I tried to reply to your message re Brooklands but your mailbox is fullRegards Garytradewel (at) aol (dot) com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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