914 starters or I learn something everyday!

John Rogers · 04-10-2000, 08:53 PM

We got my 2.8l stroker 4 running last Friday but the stock starter would not crank it. Yes we checked the wires etc, they are new 3 gauge, etc. There were no places open to find a Tilton starter so on saturday I went to an Off Roard Warehouse place and bought a high hi-torque starter for a type IV. I checked it and it looked like the one that came out and I installed it an boy oh boy did it spin that big engine well. Well at the autocross on Sunday I was on my first lap and went to down shift and when I blipped the throttle the engine seized! I went into neuttral and coasted off the track fearing the worst, like a broken crank or some such. Turns out the starter gear had jammed onto the flywheel teeth and was actually driving the starter and when I hit the throttle for the down shift the starter siezed! Inspection showed the starter gear was destroyed and the gear drive was seized. A close measurement showed the started I bough had approx 3/8 inch longer shaft so the gear went into the bell housing further and had jammed. Appears no damage was done and I got a replacement starter and it is exactly the same as the stock started size. It seems there are TWO belhousing demensions from the starter mount flange to the geaar teeth and 914s have the short one, type IV busses have the long one!

neilca · 04-11-2000, 04:22 AM

WOW, thanks for the heads up. I was under the impression that all of starters from 911's to beetles were the same. I have seen posts about a more powerful starter on this board has anyone used it?
neil

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

He had a bus starter....the SR68X is the 911 starter and it works...I have it one mine....John was right in front of me when it happened...

Alpine · 04-11-2000, 01:42 PM

John, please tell me more about your 2.8L engine . (That's some big flat four). What are the engine's bore and stroke? Where did you buy the parts? How much hp and torque does the engine make and what is the car's performance like?

Thanks,
Alpine

John Rogers · 04-11-2000, 04:10 PM

The engine has Pauter internals, 82mm stroke, 104mm bore, forged rods with Chevy sized bearings. The case was polished, pinned and line bored. Roller rockers, dual springs, 57mm intake and 43mm exhaust valves (stainless) and the heads were welded and flowed by a local company that does Pauter's work. The carbs are Weber 48IDFs and it is jetted for the 11.5 compression it had before the rebuild. It is connected to a 2700 lb pressure plate with a 6 puck carbon fiber clutch disk. The cooling is by 12 qt dry sump and large front mounted oil cooler and it actually seems to run a little cooler than the 2.4l that was in the car? It also has the 911 fan shroud to give a little more cooling air and a better alternator. The reason I got a hi torque starter was due to the stock one not being able to crank the engine well even though the compression is only 10.5 to 1. I guess the Total Seal rings have a lot of drag when new and the started was the car's original one I think? As for the power, it feels really strong but I only had approximately 30 mins of easy running on it and the starter seizing stopped me before I even got a full lap in. we have another auto-x in two weeks and hopefully I'll have it a little more sorted out by then? From what Mike and most others told me, when the engine stopped it made a terrible screeching noise that you could hear all over the stadiun, but I guess that was the starter internal gears eating themselves up. Thanks for the help Mike and maybe next time it will put on a better show???

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

I did not get to hear the death rattle of the starter, I was behind you trying to catch you....8^)....could not hear a thing with Lenny Kravitz blasting and the sound of the 3.0/6 at 7,000 rpms....I had to lock up the brakes to keep from hitting you....but I did get to help push it on the trailer...it looked nice in the engine bay....those 48s are monsters...

neilca · 04-12-2000, 01:53 AM

John,
What kind of clearance (valve lash) are you running with the Pauter roller rockers?
neil

John Rogers · 04-12-2000, 10:49 AM

The roller rockers run at zero lash. You have to put caps on the valves too for them to work well although I've heard they work without the caps but don't last as long. I also found the engine has type 1 lifters as they have a bigger footprint on the cam lobes for better wear resistance. Lenny Kravitz?? Personally I think ZZ Top gets me into the real driving mood!

[This message has been edited by john rogers (edited 04-12-2000).]

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

The Lenny Kravitz cover of "American Woman" is a fine driving/abuse the car tune....as well as "Fly Away"....heavy bass and kick booty lyrics...