Starter Kicking Out on cold start

PNP

PNP

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Still having problems with my starter kicking out on cold start. I'm running an electronic dizzy at about 8 - 10 degrees (as per the instructions of the guy who re mapped the distributor) wondering if this could be the problem. I'm intending to play around with it on the weekend but understand that retarding it to much will result in it being very sluggish. Any other known problems? It was suggested to me that it could be a bad earth.
 
I e had similar problem in the past. I’d remove the starter and check that the pinion is free to move all the way when engaged. If it’s only partially engaging with the ring gear it can happen.

Also, do you free it’s turning over quickly enough? Make sure your earth is properly attached and clean.
 
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It could be that the engine is firing. If so, it could be that it's turning faster than the starter, which will kick the pinion out.
 
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consulted my 83 year old retired mechanic neighbour. He picked it. I backed the timing off 2 degrees and it seems to have made a world of difference. Hopefully it won't impact the power to greatly
 
not sure about my ignition advance .aware it wasn't accelerating rapidly so advanced dizzy by hand a tad. run car an dit zooms much better more like it ought to .no effect on my starting so I must get around to putting a strobe on it and see what it is.I moved it forward for lack of power AND being made aware modern fuels often have some ethanol in (despite being rated E5 and supposedly almost zero) and that drops power and can make starting harder. do enjoy your car :) sadly in Uk weather isn't always kind and I never take it out in rain .. if it rains when out so be it!
 
classicalgreen said:
not sure about my ignition advance .aware it wasn't accelerating rapidly so advanced dizzy by hand a tad. run car an dit zooms much better more like it ought to .no effect on my starting so I must get around to putting a strobe on it and see what it is.I moved it forward for lack of power AND being made aware modern fuels often have some ethanol in (despite being rated E5 and supposedly almost zero) and that drops power and can make starting harder. do enjoy your car :) sadly in Uk weather isn't always kind and I never take it out in rain .. if it rains when out so be it!
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Theory is that you get to the point where the timing is so far advanced that the engine kind of attempts to run backwards when it first fires. Kicks like a mule and apparently has been known to crack cast starter motor housings. If your car is starting OK and isn't knocking/pinging when you put your foot down you are still in the good zone.
 
If the starter has a weak bendix spring it will get thrown out the moment to engine even thinks about firing
 
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