[alfa] Starter support bracket for 1.1hp starters

[Jon Pike <jhpike@xxxxxxx>]

> I recall reading that the block, or perhaps motor mount, must be notched
> out.  I obtained a 1.1 hp starter for use on my 72 Spider, but then got
> worried about the issue of number of teeth in the gear, and never installed
> it.  The starter, I believe, came from an Alfetta (not the race car that I
> just learned about, but the later production car).  How does the issue of
> drive gear teeth square with the issue of starter horsepower--are all
> combinations possible?  Can one switch the drive gear to utilize the better
> motor?  Can one install the motor without the bracket?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob Wilkinson
> 72 Spider in warm (at least today) Saint Louis  
Thanks Bob..  So, I'm not crazy.. (not couning overall hobby )

I have had a few sources tell me it should go right on.. and was doing a 
lot of head scratching.
Yep, that's my exact assesment, without some extra inch long extension 
piece, it warent gonna fit.  And, it wasn't going to that way, either, 
since the starter is too long and you'ld have to avoid putting it on. (ahem)

Looks like you need to notch the motor mount bracket,  despite being 
made with a too small to work notch,  the Spica mounting bracket under 
it,  and a section of the block that sticks out to make the motor mount 
attachment point. 
Were these ever a stock item?  I notice that my original 77 block has no 
notch,  so it assumably never had a starter support, despite being built 
with a 1.1hp starter.

On the starter gear issue,  opinions vary, but it would seem that there 
is a slight difference in pinion gear diameter that corresponds with the 
slight difference in ring gear diameter between the 130 and 131 tooth 
versions.

Best I've gathered on this is the following:  (PLEASE take with grain of 
salt / all corrections appriciated!)

1. Around 75 (?) the change from 130 to 131 toothed ring gears happened 
on the 2L motors.

2. All the .7hp motors were for the 72-75 (?) 130 tooth gear,  all the 
1.1hp motors were for 131.

3. A later (Type 4 Spider, late 80's to 90's?) starter, the "gear 
reduction" type, is supposed to be a good fit for the 130 t gears, as 
well as being a smaller, lighter and stronger device.

4. Going with a 130 pinion (.7hp) on a 131 will probably bind and be a 
problem.

5. Going with a 131 pinion (1.1hp) on a 130 may work, but the looser fit 
may cause premature wear or other problems. Some say there is no 
problem, or not worth worrying about.

6. Even Bosch tech help dosen't know, their books list the one 1.1hp 
type part for all 2L years.

7. Centerline lists two different pinion gear drives,  dosen't know much 
about their diffferences and Bosch dosen't know much about their 
different Bosch part numbers.

8.  I corresponded with someone with a gear reduction starter,  he 
measured his pinion gear,  it was about .010" larger than my 77 
starter's gear.  The older starter I was given with the older motor was 
also about .010" larger.  An unknown new pinion gear for some Alfa I got 
was also .010" larger (Aha!)  Then I learned that the older starter is 
also a 1.1hp type, and its pinion gear was identified as the one for a 
1.1 starter, and when I opened my 77 starter I found out the swap meet 
pinion was different on the back end.. who knows what it's for... (Ah, 
Bummer...)  Estimation of the size difference of the ring gears, barring 
tooth angle difference and so forth seem to say it would be .040-.060" 
difference in radius.. but then why dossn't the gear reduction pinion 
have a greater difference?

So, it's hard to say.  I was really bugged by the fact that there is so 
much confusion on this,  and thought I could research it out to a 
definitive answer for all Alfisti.. but so far, no dice. 
I'll put on my 77 starter and see how it sounds while cranking.  Maybe 
I'll get a gear reduction one later on..

Jon
77 Spider
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