Sunday, January 13, 2008

Starting Motors


The 1500 cu LeRoi engine has two 12 volt electric starting motors. The motors are about a third larger than typical tractor starting motor. The distance between the mounting holes is 5 inches, normal tractor motors is 3.5 in. Originally we could not find any staarting motors from the locomotive or the spare engine. I took measurments from the mounting holes and searched electric motor rebuilders. I had no luck. Ray contacted Roger and he said he had 2 good starters. I got one rebuilt starter from Roger and a box of starter parts. I made another starter from the parts. I had to have some bushings machined to match one starter to the Leroi engine. The Delco number on the older starter is 412. The delco number on the newer starter is 1109889. They are clockwise rotation, 12 tooth, direct drive starters. I believe a brand new updated starter could be found for about $ 200. I contacted several after market starter manufacturers listed on the internet but they could not cross reference our Delco numbers and were not willing to open boxes and check measurements against my list. One starter bolted right in and the other has some clearence problems. I may have to re-orient the case at a later date.

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