VP Calais - Starter Motor.

[spirto]

Hey Everyone.

Vehicle:
1992 VP Calais V6 - Automatic.

Background:
Manual Starter motor fitted, on this model only, looks like a Manual V6 Block, with Automatic Transmission option. Have checked the official spare parts book, and looks like this is the only exception to the standard V6 VP Starters.

Question:
Bought a new starter motor "manual one" as the "automatic one" doesn't fit, no provision on the block for "starter" motor cup insertion.

After replacing the starter motor, attempted to start car, starts with a loud metal sound each time.
Removed starter motor, checked with a vernier, and noticed the distance between starter motor cog and mounting base of starter motor was different.
Made a metal shim to resolve this, replaced, tested, still same "loud noise" when starting car... asked advice from auto electricians, they all aggreed perhaps being a "high torque" starter motor that would be normal.
1 Year later - now making louder noises....

My question is directed to VP Calais owners:
Does your vehicle have a manual starter motor fitted? or is this a rare option ? as it looks like it's a rare thing not a common thing.

I am replacing this starter motor again, so don't want to repeat all this in a year, I am thinking that this after market starter motor had a fault from the beggining as the old starter motor didn't have this noise.

Thanks
Spirto

[spirto]

Thanks for the overwhelming responces on this (note sarcasm). All sorted. Moderators Delete please.