Hello,
My XJS is a 1983 coupe US. I've installed a starter replacement, the unit is a powerlite with a 25mm pinion.
Problem, I have a plate metal noise when the engine is starting but also when power is needed.
The noise engine starting.
The noise, car running.

Julian from Powerlite is telling me that it can be an issue with meshing and disengaging, the starter seems to set sitting too close to the flywheel at rest position.
He would like to know, the distance between the front face of the flywheel to the front face of the bell housing.

Can you please help me ?
Thx.

 

I can't answer your specific question, sorry.

However, many years ago I installed modern gear reduction starters on both my XJS V12 and my Series III XJ6. In both cases I had a flywheel/drive plate interference problem. I wasn't expecting this, as I had heard so many positive reviews of trouble-free installations.

In both cases I fabricated spacing shims, using some "shim stock" material I had on hand, to gain a bit of clearance. The details are long forgotten, I'm sorry to say, but not much thickness was needed.....maybe .015"

It wasn't much of a bother on the XJ6, but having to remove the starter twice on a V12 isn't pleasant situation

Good luck.

Hopefully someone will come along with an answer to your question

Cheers
DD

 

Hello Doug, thank you for your reply. What is the brand of your starters ?
The problem is that I really don't know how to find the requested information: I'll put the car on the lift, remove the starter and try to take the measurement without removing the exhaust.
I'll also ask Powerlite to provide some spacing shims. I suppose that I'm not the only one having this issue and that they have the spacers in stock !

 

I don't recall; it was many years ago. I bought them from one of the "usual well known Jag suppliers".

Since then I've used only original specification starters on my Jags.

Cheers
DD