Classic Mini Starting

Two main starter motor types were used. The inertia-type (Bendix) starter fitted up to 1985 engages the flywheel by spinning a pinion along a helical thread. The pre-engaged type from 1985 onwards uses a solenoid to push the pinion into mesh before the motor spins. The two are not directly interchangeable, the pre-engaged type requires a dedicated starter relay, and the flywheel ring gear tooth count differs: 107 teeth for inertia, 129 teeth for pre-engaged. Fitting the wrong starter to the wrong ring gear causes engagement problems. MGOC Spares Range The MGOC Spares Classic Mini starting range covers inertia and pre-engaged starter motors, starter relays, ring gears (107-tooth and 129-tooth), battery and earth cables, terminal caps, cable grommets, clips and all associated wiring and fixings.