M50 starter

Post Wed Nov 12, 2008 5:09 pm

Among my list of problems my starter motor is spinning but not engaging the fly.I have an M50 engine,M20 fly and an M20 starter.Before I pull the engine/'box out,is there anything else I should be checking? I have tryed the starter off the M40 316i and that is the same,spins,grates,but does not engage.I do not think it is possible to put the fly on back to front and fit a clutch and 'box,or is it? Or is the flywheel ringgear the culprit?

Post Wed Nov 12, 2008 5:45 pm

Not possible to fit the wrong way round no..

erm.. is it deffo a matching m20 starter?

Post Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:15 pm

Have you tried it on the bench to see if its working right?

Post Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:35 am

DanThe wrote:Have you tried it on the bench to see if its working right?

No,but I got the same result with the starter I borrowed from the M40,GSF's list shows M40/50 share the same unit.The M20 looks the same to me at the pinion end,but is different at the conection end.I have other snags as well,the wiper conversion is playing up and it seems my wiring skills are lacking as well.Two steps forward and three back,this week!!

Post Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:17 am

If you have a M20 flywheel, you will need a M20 starter. It has a different pitch of gear teeth from the M50/M40 type.

Post Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:52 am

Brianmoooore wrote:If you have a M20 flywheel, you will need a M20 starter. It has a different pitch of gear teeth from the M50/M40 type.

Yup!

Bet that had you worried O Bearded One.

I may possibly have one from a 525e.

Did you get the relays etc in the post?

Post Thu Nov 13, 2008 2:01 pm

Andyboy wrote:
Brianmoooore wrote:If you have a M20 flywheel, you will need a M20 starter. It has a different pitch of gear teeth from the M50/M40 type.
Yup!

Bet that had you worried O Bearded One.

I may possibly have one from a 525e.

Did you get the relays etc in the post?

Relays arrived,thanks. Starting to look as if GSF have sold me the wrong motor,I will borrow the one off the 2.7 tomorrow afternoon and try that.If this is so,it is the first time my local GSF have made a mistake.Brian's comment seems to back this up as the pinions looked the same on the new motor and the one I borrowed from the 316i.

Post Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:40 am

Brianmoooore wrote:It has a different pitch of gear teeth from the M50/M40 type.

Does this mean I can use the starter from my 316 M40 with my M50 conversion?

Post Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:24 am

Y_Cymro wrote:
Brianmoooore wrote:It has a different pitch of gear teeth from the M50/M40 type.
Does this mean I can use the starter from my 316 M40 with my M50 conversion?

Yes,if you are using the M50 flywheel.I am using the lighter,single mass M20 that other zoners recommend.I have also used a 325 spec. clutch and a 240 Getrang 'box.Only other driveline issue was the gearstick mount and shift rod,I am using 320 items here.

Post Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:14 pm

Progress at last!! GSF have now supplied the correct starter(their number B90011A) the first one was B90010A with a label on saying B90011A.... engine now cranks

I have used the Lincoln branch of GSF for almost 20 years and this is the first issue I have had,and in all fairness to the branch staff this was not their fault and they have done everything possible to make me a happy bunny again.