Hi Tom,
I installed a GRS on my BN2 a couple of years ago. The benefits are
faster cranking with less current draw, & hopefully much longer life.
It is from APT & is #GRS-5, IMI #1206-10.
A possible problem is that the starters solenoid & linkage sticks out
quite a ways from the starter body. There is a relatively small space
between the engine block & the car sheet metal so this extra lump has to
be oriented just so for the starter to fit in the available space. This
is taken care of by the starter having multiple mounting holes for the
nose portion which allow the starter body mounting position to be
rotated in relation to it's mounting to get best clearance for the
solenoid. Some brands have a set of three alternate mounting holes, none
of which exactly fit without interfearing with the body metal. I guess
you can reshape the body metal to clear if so inclined. Just maybe, the
three hole position units would fit as is.
These starters engage the front side of the flywheel gear whereas the
original Bendix drive engages from the backside.
I selected the APT starter because it has multiple mounting holes spaced
at 30 degree intervals to accommodate almost any solenoid orientation. I
was able to find a set of holes that let everything clear easily. They
are kind of expensive, but the original types are not cheap either.
You can either hook your existing solenoid to the new starter which puts
the original & new solenoid contacts in series, or bypass the original
solenoid & connect directly to the new one on the starter.
I'm not too keen on changing from original design but this is one place
to make an exception in my opinion. It now cranks over "like a starter
should".
Dave Russell
BN2
Thomas Mulligan wrote:
> Has anyone installed a gear reduction starter (GRS) on a BJ8? I have
> searched the archives with no luck. I am curious if there is anything
> to consider or if it is a simple swap. I have the trans out and am
> thinking of replacing the starter with a GRS. Also, I have a spin-on
> oil filter conversion on the car, if that makes a difference. Thanks
> Tom
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