starter problems!!

stokedog · Post by **stokedog** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 3:08 pm

Ok guys I have a 66 tranny that I had to grind out so my 71 bug motor would fit. The motor now fits fine does not rub anywhere but now I have a brand new starter on and it seems like it is having a lot of trouble turning the motor over??? What am I doing wrong??

Post by **Marc** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 3:15 pm

If it truly doesn't rub you should be able to turn it over fairly easily by hand. What did you use for a starter and bushing?

Did you use a pre-`71 clutch cover? It won't cause the starter to drag but bad things will happen when you step on the clutch if you still have the `71 cover and a `66 transmission.

stokedog · Post by **stokedog** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 3:23 pm

The starter that I just bought is for a 71 bug. I am not sure about a bushing. Where does it go? No I haven't done anything different about the clutch either. Should I get a new clutch for a 66?

Post by **Marc** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 3:44 pm

The clutch cover that you need for a pre-`71 trans will have a ring in the center for the release bearing to contact. The `71 and later cover doesn't have this, it's designed to work with a release bearing that rides in and out on a guide sleeve. The one you need is 311 141 025E.
While you have the engine back out to change that, pull the starter and drive out the bushing. The 12V starter has a smaller pinion shaft than the 6V one did and it isn't being supported properly by the old bushing (that's why it's dragging). You need a special thick-walled adapter bushing that has the large OD of the original 6V one and the smaller ID of a 12V one. Anyplace that sells much in the way of VW parts should know what you're asking for. Otherwise you can use an Automatic/AutoStick starter which doesn't need the bushing at all (SR17X).

stokedog · Post by **stokedog** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 3:55 pm

Would it be dragging so bad that after just a few seconds it drags the battery down so much that the starter just can barely turn over and then stops?

Post by **Marc** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 4:01 pm

Oh, yeah. You can kill a VW starter by running it with no load on the bench if the shaft isn't supported/centered in the windings.

YoungDub · Post by **YoungDub** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 5:46 pm

One thing about starters... Check them to see if they work at a local all around auto parts place. Even if it is so called "new or rebuilt". When I replaced my starter the car still wouldn't turn over and I didn't even hear the solenoid click. I gave up had a mechanic help me and found out that I did everything fine except that I bought a brand new junk starter! Talk about getting pissed.

-YoungDub
P.S. Don't by starters from schucks stick with nice BOSCH ones!

Post by **Marc** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 6:34 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by YoungDub:
 starters... Check them to see if they work at a local all around auto parts place.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Problem there of course is that few "all around auto parts places" have the correct jig to properly bench-test a VW starter. It must have pinion shaft support to function correctly, which usually means bolting it into a trans with a good bushing in it.

YoungDub · Post by **YoungDub** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 10:43 pm

Ya you are totally right about that one... The place I went to could only test there crummy autolie starter!

-YoungDub

stokedog · Post by **stokedog** » Sun Oct 06, 2002 11:09 am

Thank you guys for the info!

Stokedog · Post by **Stokedog** » Sat Oct 12, 2002 3:09 pm

Hey Marc I believe the motor is actually a 68 and the tranny is 66 or older. Does this still stand true for this motor also. Sorry I got mixed up on the years.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Marc:
The clutch cover that you need for a pre-`71 trans will have a ring in the center for the release bearing to contact. The `71 and later cover doesn't have this, it's designed to work with a release bearing that rides in and out on a guide sleeve. The one you need is 311 141 025E.
While you have the engine back out to change that, pull the starter and drive out the bushing. The 12V starter has a smaller pinion shaft than the 6V one did and it isn't being supported properly by the old bushing (that's why it's dragging). You need a special thick-walled adapter bushing that has the large OD of the original 6V one and the smaller ID of a 12V one. Anyplace that sells much in the way of VW parts should know what you're asking for. Otherwise you can use an Automatic/AutoStick starter which doesn't need the bushing at all (SR17X).<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>