Replacement Starters

[Hans]

I gather either the E30 M3 or some M30 six cyl Bosch rebuilt starters will work. Do they use the bracket that attaches the front facing end of the starter to the block? Or do they need it? How fussy are they with cores?

[Healey3000]

Hi,

 

When I installed my e32 starter, I did not attach it to the bracket that braces the intake manifold.  The bracket stayed in place for the manifold, however.  If I recall correctly, the starter did not reach the bracket.

 

My assumption was that if bracing was not required on the e32, it should not be necessary on the 2002 (although this engine does have higher vibration).  It's been on there for over a year and all is well.

[ShakeyC]

Yes you should use it bracket because on high compression engines I have seen bellhousing crack with larger 1.5kw and 1.7kw starters from M30 3.5 and motorsport type gear reduction starters.

 

To be honest if your engine turns over easily by hand with less than 9:1 compression its not going to stress the housing as much but i would stll use bracket or make something otherwise its still a lot of weight dangling off one end.

 

Also don't mess about with reconditions/cores when brand new Lucas starter is available for much less eg 1.1kw LRS00352 is like £60 here in UK and 1.5 and 1.7kw version are £90

[Dudeland]

I just finished posting this one a second ago.  It works great, and for the price it is worth a try.  It doesn't use the bracket.  It is my understanding that the bracket was there to support the manifold, rather than the other way around. 

 

 

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-STARTER-BMW-AUTO-TRUCK-535-SERIES-735-L6-M5-INBOARD-ENG-B630-B635/152218487980?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[Hans]

Thanks for the link.

The bracket on my 2000CS attaches the starter to the block. Do 2002s have the same arrangement? 

[Healey3000]

Yes, mine did.  The same bracket supports both the starter and the intake manifold.

['76mintgrün'02]

[Hans]

A little different, but same idea. Thanks. I see the photos of Bosch SR440 for  M3 have the two studs for a bracket. May be safer route. Does Bosch rebuilt for 5 series have the studs?

[jgerock]

 

 

[Hans]

Oh.

I see.

Very interesting.

A picture or four is worth a thousand words.

Perhaps the bracket is not as critical with the 440.

[Healey3000]

This matches my recollection of the starter not reaching the bracket.  Nice pictures, Jim!

[323IJOE]

Just recently bolted a M3 starter on my 76, original 76 bracket doesn't bolt onto the starter, I ended up ordering a M3 starter bracket from blunt for somewhere around $25 plus shipping, everything bolted up perfectly

[Zorac]

i have a sr441x in my car right now.  pulled it from a 1988 735i at the wreckers.  doesn't match up to the bracket, but it doesn't have a bracket on the 735i it came from (just the two bolts to the block by the flywheel).  works great and weighs much less than the stock starter.  cost me $27 so I can't complain.

[Hans]

Thanks for the input.

[Ncbimma]

On 12/28/2017 at 12:01 AM, Dudeland said:

I just finished posting this one a second ago.  It works great, and for the price it is worth a try.  It doesn't use the bracket.  It is my understanding that the bracket was there to support the manifold, rather than the other way around. 

 

 

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-STARTER-BMW-AUTO-TRUCK-535-SERIES-735-L6-M5-INBOARD-ENG-B630-B635/152218487980?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Just replaced mine with this one from ebay today. Thing spins over pretty fast and the tii fires up much quicker now (read: less turn over attempts). Will test out the cold weather crank later this week when the cold hits!

 

Hope it lasts!