Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing 1990 Plus 4 Rover M16

Question for the Brains Trust.
Seeking advice on the model number of the starter motor for our Plus4.
A search of this and other sites does not give much confidence as to whether it is a standard unit or a hybrid from the factory.
To make matters worse, it seems that no normal cars with this engine were imported to Australia.
As the age of this series of Morgans possibly means that others have now had to face replacements issues any advice would be most welcome.
Of course the alternative is a rebuild but the concern is if subtle changes have been incorporated into the unit.
Thanks in anticipation.
Ross

Plenty of Rover 820 starter motors on eBay at modest prices. Not sure why MMC would fit an alternative to the starter provided with M16 engine but happy to be corrected.

Hi Richard
Appreciate your quick response, I posed the question as I did find a Talkmorgan thread going back a number of years that did challenge the "standard" theory.
The issue I have is the non availability of Rover 820 cars in Australia to provide ready reference.

Regards
Ross

These people are worth contacting maybe Ross.

I have a spare starter if you require it, am happy to give advice. One of my cars is a rover t16 engine

These may be things you already have done so please ignore if you have, but are you sure it is the starter? To be safe I would remove and clean the the earth leads especially the earth from the gearbox to chassis. A jump lead from the starter earth to the chassis should show if it is an earthing issue.
Mine looked clean outside but unbolted the corrosion was obvious.
I guess you also checked the starter relay.

Hello Ross
I have a 1990 Plus 4 with the M16 motor also.
Just climbed under this AM and took a pic of the starter.
The label on it reads: Magneti Marelli
Number 26609L 12V
Date 26-89
Type: M79CO.9
Not sure if this helps your situation. I did hear somewhere along that the Rover 820's went to NZ so maybe M16 parts there??
(If you wanted to forward your email, I can send you a copy of the pic).
regards
Colin

Here is the T16 Rover starter make an offer and its yours

DSC_0621 by Robert & Ali Davies, on Flickr

DSC_0620 by Robert & Ali Davies, on Flickr

The shipping cost to OZ should prove interesting Rob (I'm assuming Sydney NSW rather than the numerous others around the world ).

I would suggest a Hi-Torque type starter as a replacement, but don't know about availability for T16.

I shipped some Luvax shock absorbers to Adelaide recently and it took five days door to door. I used a site called parcelcompare this time and it was quicker and cheaper than when I sent some engine parts via the courier direct. Worth a try anyway 🤷🏼