Hi all

What's my best bet for a light-weight starter motor to suit a high-compression L18? The engine was running in excess 10:1-ish when it was built but I expect a chunk of that has left the building. The car is a heavily modified 1975 180B SSS.

Thanks!
Duncan

High comp needs a strong starter and L series 6 cylinder bolt on and do the job but they're heavy. I use an RB30 starter. They're a gear type so they're light, they bolt on and although the solenoid position isn't ideal they fit OK. Plus they're easily available and relatively cheap.

Cheers!

Thanks for the reply! Is this the beast? https://www.automotiveelectricsonline.c ... an-skyline

What's the issue with the solenoid? Is it too close to the block or the steering box? Comparing it to the L18 version (https://www.automotiveelectricsonline.c ... -180b-200b) it looks like the solenoid is going to get mighty close.

Hi Duncan,
Sorry it's been so long since I checked here.
My starter has the solenoid on the opposite side to the block so it has about 10mm clearance to the steering box. That's never been a problem. If your steering box or engine moves over 10mm it's not the starter motor that needs fixing.
I think there are other RB series starter motors with slightly different solenoid positioning but I never bothered to chase them up as they'd be rare and more expensive than the local RB30 units. If you know anyone with a heap of Skyline RB motor spares they may have something lying around.
Cheers!

I use a gear reduction style starter. Have seen them advertised for Zed cars on Ebay in the US...