Fast Marina Magazine

I own a 1971 1.8 deluxe coupe which has an old starter motor that i want to replace.The problem that i have is that on the starter casing it says M35J.
I have looked in the haynes manual and it says for this car it should be a M418G. Can anyone advise me as to what is the correct starter as i dont know if the previous owner (deceased) changed it at some point.

Is the one currently fitted a pre- engaged or inertia type?

I'm pretty sure my '74 has an M35J, of the pre engaged variety (M35J was available as both).

I believe the M418G is inertia only, and probably what your car should have. I wouldn't be surprised if it's been upgraded to a M35J pre engaged at some point.

Thanks Matt,mine is the inertia type which i believed was for the 1300 model.Would it cause a problem using the M35J or would i get better starting using the M148G.
Terry

My 1800TC lump came with an inertia type starter, although I've a.) not had it running b.) don't know what model starter it is and c.) have no idea if it's original.

My personal preference would be a pre- engaged type, I seem to recall that they are a straight swap except for needing to alter the wiring to suit the solenoid on the starter. But if what you have works, I'd be inclined to stick with it!

I'm assuming the 1300 and 1800 starters are different folks?

Of course, starter model is no guarantee that it'll fit, as the starter "nose" varies in size and orientation to suit different applications- I have a Bedford CF one somewhere that's exactly the same as an 1800 Marina except it's mounted on the top right of the engine instead of the bottom right, so the mountings are about 90 deg. out

Yep, 1300 and 1800 are different. 1300 starters couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding if fitted to an 1800..

Stick with the pre engaged type. To alter the wiring isn't much but a lot of hassle for a sub standard motor.

beniboyz wrote:Yep, 1300 and 1800 are different. 1300 starters couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding if fitted to an 1800..

Stick with the pre engaged type. To alter the wiring isn't much but a lot of hassle for a sub standard motor.

He's currently got an inertia one Ben

If it was a pre engaged I'd definitely say keep it...

Are the 1300 starters the same in terms of fitment (nose length/ orientation again), just lower power output, or completely different? I suspect the latter, I wouldn't be so lucky...

The inertia ones are the same fitment but smaller bendix drives on the 1300's

Going by whats been said about M35J would explain why the engine is cranking over so slowly.
The haynes manual gives the Lucas M418G as the correct one whereas the autobooks says the 2M100 both inertia.
Really baffled now.