Mini Starter install enough clearance b/w starter and crossmember??

[JAR0023]

OK. So I got home, pulled out the Bentley and went through the steps. Grounds good, ignition switch good, yellow wire good, 14 pin connector clean. Went through the docs on my car and original starter has been "disassembled/cleaned/reassembled" at least twice. Still having hot start issues so I pulled the trigger on a mini-starter from our host. Install went fairly smooth if not dirty. Everything is buttoned up and working as it should...but. I'm starting to second guess how I clocked the starter.

I read through a ton of posts on this. Lots of them mention clocking the starter to clear the flexible heat tubes. None mention how much clearance is needed bewteen the starter and unibody crossmemember that the rear shocks bolt to. There are four positions for mounting the starter. The two extreme positions don't work at all. This leaves the two middle positions. On the lower of the two the starter rubs the heater tube to the point where you have to almost flatten the tube in half. On the upper of the two positions (what I chose) the starter motor clears the heater tube but only leaves about 7/8" clearance between the starter motor and crossmember. I say 7/8" but I used my finger as a go/no-go and then calibrated my finger later to be between 7/8" and 1".

So here's my questions for the Pelican Brain Trust ™ . If you have installed the IMI hi-torque mini starter, in what position did you clock the starter? How much will the engine/trans move around? Is 7/8" clearance enough?

'86 Carrera stock 3.2/915 combo.

Thanks,
J

[Tippy]

On my gear reduction starter on a G50 '87, the solenoid is pretty much straight up.

I'd say if you have nearly an inch of clearance, it should be fine.

[JAR0023]

Thanks for the feedback Tip. Seemes to me there is enough clearance just wanted her from someone who's BTDT.

-J