Help, please: fitting 993 starter to 915 transmission

[ben@benlovejoy.]

I have a 911SC fitted with a 993 engine by the PO. The car has the original 915 transmission.

When the engine is cold, she starts fine, but when hot, the starter-motor really struggles - presumably due to the higher compression of a hot engine.

I thus want to replace the starter-motor. The obvious thought is to fit a 993 one, but I don't know whether this will fit with a 915 transmission?

If not, what are my options to get a beefier starter-motor?

Ben

[MuffinMan]

I had the same dilemma during my recent 3.6 conversion. I dumped the 1977 starter (it was actually the same starter used in 914s!) and had a choice of either a factory 993 starter or a high-torque, lightweight starter. The 993 starter was $165 + $100 core charge since I had nothing to give back (they wouldn't accept the old starter), and the high torque starter was about $300. Not only does the "whir whir whir" of the high-torque starter sound really cool, but you save roughly 7 or 8lbs, depending on the model you choose. Pelican offers one, and I've seen posts from others that have installed it.

[ben@benlovejoy.]

Thanks, Rob - good to have another option. Do you happen to know whether the 993 starter would have fitted ok to the 915 box? If it will, I'll start by trying breakers yards.

Ben

[slope-nz]

I have the high- torque starter from PP and it gets the job done with gusto and a cool sound. That would be my pick. Randy

[Bill Verburg]

The starter is more than adequate. I am still using my original '76 starter on my high cpompression 3.8.

If you are having trouble first check the battery and all connections.

the If the starter is bad, think about a new one.

[ben@benlovejoy.]

The battery is brand-new, and it always starts fine from cold. It's only hot-starting that causes the problem. Stick a battery booster on it (14v) or jump-start, and the extra power then means it starts, so we're pretty sure the problem is that the the starter just doesn't have enough power.

Does yours start without drama even after a long run, with the engine hot?

Ben

[Bill Verburg]

Never a glitch, It sat all winter and started at the first turn of the key.

It does sound as if the starter is bad, I do like the trick liteweight/high torque ones that Rob mentioned. But they are pricey.

[ben@benlovejoy.]

Yeah, mine starts first-turn when cold, but it was hot-starting I was asking about. Have you ever done a long run, stopped to fuel, say, and then immediately tried to restart? That's when I get the problem.

Ben

[Bill Verburg]

Yep, no problem

Lots of tow vehicles have similar heat related starting problems but the exhaust on ours doesn't run too close to the starter.

[Neilk]

Try cleaning all the connections to the starters including the ground strap and the grounds near the battery. That might make a difference.

[Speedster94]

hallo
The 993/964 Starter will not fit ,it is made for the longer Bellhousing and the shaft sticks about 4 inches out of the starter-Motor.
harald

[ben@benlovejoy.]

Thanks for that info - eliminates one option, anyway.

Ben

[Grady Clay]

Could someone have installed the 0.8 HP starter? Your car should have the 1.5 HP OE starter. Among all the numbers on the side of the motor is 0.8 or 1.5 PS.

Best,
Grady

[ben@benlovejoy.]

I'll check that, Grady - thanks for the thought.

Ben

[ben@benlovejoy.]

Ok, should be sorted. Autofarm do a beefier starter for the 915 box, and they guarantee that it will cope with a hot 993 engine, so I've ordered one.

Ben