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Tue Mar 20, 2012 2:15 pm

I've now gotten my build up to starting my engine. It's 12V but the starter is 6V and I think it's a bit stuffed. It turns over really slowly. I have tried the battery from my diesel 4x4 and even that didn't work so I know its not the battery.

The problems I've noticed so far are; the positive terminal on the starter is stripped and it turns in the starter. I rethreaded it to take a smaller nut but It doesn't clamp down hard. I also opened up the starter and found the main shaft in the starter has come in contact with the housing.

Does this mean I need a new starter? Or can I fix these problems?

I also measured the voltage drop along the positive and negative lines. I have 0.6 on both. I have tried cleaning the contacts but it made no difference. Both wires are new and so are he battery clamps.

Thanks
Nick

Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:24 pm

How's the bushing on the transaxle side where the bendix lands? If that's worn and out of round it'll hang the starter. I've had that happen more than a few times - change the bushing and see what happens.

Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:28 pm

Maybe you can fix the issues but for $40 wouldn't it be better to get a new one with a lifetime warranty?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Duralast-Im...563_12989_

Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:41 pm

I'll try changing the bushing. I'm guessing I have to pull the engine to do that?

I wouldn't mind a new starter but I don't think they ship overseas. And the places that I have found that will ship to NZ are much more expensive.

Thanks
Nick

Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:39 pm

How about from Australia?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Starter-VW-Beetle-1965-...8356385153

Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:09 pm

You can do the bushing with the starter out. It's a little bit of a pain and you'll need some dexterity but can be done. Old bushing can be pulled out with a large flat blade screwdriver wedged inside; new bushing simply placed in position with long needle nose pliers and pushed into place with a dowel rod or some other flat end implement. Put some blue locktite on it to keep it from moving once in place.

Wed Mar 21, 2012 4:17 pm

If the vehicle's fitted with a 6v starter at present you can't just swap it for one of the 12v starters listed, it won't mesh with the flywheel. Unless you're planning on swapping the engine too you'd be best replacing it with another 6v one. If you're going to replace the bush make sure you get the pre-'67 type one to match your starter.

Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:37 pm

You can change the bushing rather easily without pulling the engine. Just put a tap " I think its a 7'16 into the old bushing and pull it out. I did and it was easy.

Thu Mar 22, 2012 3:39 pm

I have removed to old bushing. I had to pull the engine as it was so worn out the biggest tap I had which was an M12 just went straight though it.

As you can see there wasn't much of it left.

Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:24 pm

That baby was worn out for sure. I hope that fixes your starting issue.

Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:09 pm

I changed the bushing and it now turns over much faster. But I don't think the spark is strong enough to ignite the fuel. It might still be a 6V coil as it felt quite hot after cranking the engine. I might just go through and change the coil leads and plugs and hope that gets it going. Anything else that might need changing to?

Fri Mar 23, 2012 12:57 am

You may as well change the points, condenser and rotor arm and check the distributor cap for cracks etc. while you're on your knees with your tools out.