Lucas M35R starter motor

[Nevsmini]

Anyone seen, have or know anything about the Lucas M35R starter motor?

[Nevsmini]

Nobody???

[Exminiman]

Not sure what you want to know but here is a vid of one being taken apart…if it helps ?

Does the “R” mean anything ?

https://youtu.be/bRtHnWoImhs

[Nevsmini]

Yes the R is different to the G and J model. I have the original R model that came with ORX77F but it has its original Abingdon locking wire and I don’t want to cut it to open it. The R was used by Abingdons rally Minis and John Cooper race minis. Just interested to know if anyone has experience of these starter motors from back in the day or if there is any R motors kicking about?

[floormanager]

Can you post a photo or two of the R motor? Just for interest?
Thank you
Paul

[Nevsmini]

Period photo, note the flange that fixes the motor to the flywheel housing is so much bigger and thicker.

[Peter Laidler]

Re Nevs picture above, could the R indicate 'reinforced'

There was a top Lucas technical rep based at the Swindon PSF plant that was involved in the early alternator design while some of us passed through as students. He/they used Abingdon cars as test beds for the rough handling parts of the trials. He lived in Shrivenham with some others of that PSF team, Ray Neave and Alan Iles. Wish they was still around now

[Exminiman]

Re Nevs picture above, could the R indicate 'reinforced'

There was a top Lucas technical rep based at the Swindon PSF plant that was involved in the early alternator design while some of us passed through as students. He/they used Abingdon cars as test beds for the rough handling parts of the trials. He lied in Shrivenham with some others of that PSF team, Ray Neave and Alan Iles. Wish they was still around now

or maybe "Ruggedised" ?

[mk1]

I have checked through all my Lucas literature & I can't find any trace of the M35R it was certainly a very specialised motor. As has already been suggested, it is probably the thicker casting that differentiates it, but this is of course, just a guess.

[Oneball]

Land Rover starters have a thick flange like that.

[mk1]

So they do

s-l1600.jpg

[Nevsmini]

Here is photos of the M45R starter motor out of ORX77F. Note it still has the Abingdon locking wire on the end hence why I don’t want to open it. Date on it is 11/67 the car was 1st built for the 68 Monte. The front flange is heavier but still shaped like the std mini one, not flat like the Range Rover one. I was told by an old boy that the R stud for Race/Rally, I’m not Sure about that, but was hoping someone might be able to shed more light on it.

[mk1]

That looks to be in spectacularly good condition!

[Oneball]

The “barrel” of the inertia spring is different to a standard Mini one by the looks of it.

[Nevsmini]

That looks to be in spectacularly good condition!

It’s repainted and cleaned up and is working a treat so far.

[Nevsmini]

The “barrel” of the inertia spring is different to a standard Mini one by the looks of it.

Yes every part is different and I can’t find the parts on other starter motors to even build a standby.

[floormanager]

Lovely to see, thanks for sharing

[Ronnie]

Take it to a proper auto electrician [with a test bench (not a piece of wood) get it run up torque, speed and current draw checked out], I would suggest that there will be extra winding's for more torque (high compression engines) as well as the bendix and bearing differences, probably nothing standard except the carcass.

[Nevsmini]

Take it to a proper auto electrician [with a test bench (not a piece of wood) get it run up torque, speed and current draw checked out], I would suggest that there will be extra winding's for more torque (high compression engines) as well as the bendix and bearing differences, probably nothing standard except the carcass.

Good point Ronnie.

[Toby]

The R addition to a part going by the BMC lines was for reconditioned, yet I don’t think that would be applicable here