In reply to a message from mouton sent Fri 9 May 2008:
Hi Jerry. Can’t really argue with a word. I have always taken
the ‘lightness’ thing somewhat tongue in cheek, being the size I am
and having attempted to race motorcycles where I add circa 60% mass
to the ensemble. Even more on an off-road stroker!
However, I can also argue that under those circumstances, taking
every weight saving option known to man, I might - just might -
enjoy the very same accelerative experience as you would with your
wiry frame in a standard car. Would you deny ole tubby that
thrill? 
However, point for point, the 4.2 starter lump is probably a little
heavier than the 3.8 Bendix - not sure, so there is a respectable
saving.
The power consumption can help on a foggy freezing morning when
there is damp on the dizzy or elsewhere. The car can be as well-
tuend as possible but living outdoors and 365 day a year use
inevitably expose old cars to more stress than in California I
think. If, as also happens, some people forget to turn the lamps
off when they park their husband’s classic, a low-current starter
might save a call-out.
The same applies if, as happened to me inside the last month with
another car, you have a dead engine and an uphill drive and garage
the car MUST get into for repairs and there is nobody there to
help. This dodge can also help in floods with a dead engine, but
anyone who gets their car that deep into water is either daft, or
innocent but has the initials CG…
Accessibility never matters until it matters. And then it matters a
great deal…
Reliability - I think I grant you that one. Except possibly that in
general terms when a mechanism is asked to operate way inside its
limits it tends to last longer. I suspect as you hint, a gear
reduction starter might be overkill in terms of mechanical
advantage but this, if true, suggests it can shrug off many years
hard work. Plus I do prefer the pre-engaged mech to the Bendix.
Overall when you include external relays/solenoids etc they are
defintely more reliable or the auto makers would still be using the
Bendix inertia system, which they do not.
Mine doesn’t sound like and E-type now, so…
Appreciate the banter anyway. You are the sort of person who even
if they DID say ‘Don’t do this upgrade’ would assemble a logical
argument to that effect but still be nice enough to accept that not
everyone thinks the same way. Be very grateful not everyone thinks
like me, that’s for sure!
Pete–
66 2+2, 78 RAM D-type replica
Cambridge, United Kingdom
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