Jamie McClinton (Newport Start-n-Charge and a MGB-Roadmaster sponsor) is now offering a mini starter to fit the 215 for $245 shipped. He has an absolutely sterling reputation with the Buick folks, where a similar unit is used on both small block and big block Buick engines.
Jim
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?p=1450506#post1450506
Nice! I think I'll get one of these.
Jamie says that if three of us combine our purchase there's a discount to be had. I don't really need a new starter, but I was curious about several things so I sent Jamie a note. Jamie says this particular gear reduction starter weighs 9.7 pounds. I just weighed my spare vintage Buick 215 starter, and it weighs a whopping 23.0 pounds. Additionally, the gear reduction starter draws fewer amps (Jamie says between 115 and 160) so I could easily downsize my battery. Assuming I went with a compact dry cell battery (http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc680mj.htm), I could mount it neatly in my passenger-side footwell area, and then remove the original MGB battery box plus shorten the battery cable down to about one foot. In total, I figure there's about thirty pounds to be saved.
You may hit that target weight yet.
Nitrous is so popular now, I'da thounk "someone" would have a gaseous starter. Less noise than a shotgun one. "Theres no happy endings without first getting started". roverman.
QuoteJim,they make a kit for the Rover as well I havent got one yet,but they say it is basically the same as the 215 with a different throw on the pinion & slightly different nose.Same price.I was going to wait untill next month...2 days,to order one.My parts bill for June is pretty steep
Is this different because of the block or the flywheel? What if I'm already using a 215ish flywheel? I guess I should ask Jamie...