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[TheBoy]

Not many independent factors left, ECP have taken over the world.

I'd definitely avoid Starline - in fact my MOT man is always ranting at ECP when I go in, because they sent him Starline when he said any brand but Starline

If its a bastid job, sometimes branded is worth the extra to reduce the risk of having to do it again in 2 months...

[ronnyd]

....
 and off since I passed my test (*cough* 23yrs ago this November) and  .....

still a novice then 

I passed my car test 2nd Aug 1979 & my bike test Nov 1980 

Passed bike test in 1962, 3  attempts  . Car was in 1966, first time thanks to my late Dad. Drove a Reliant on my bike licence and the gearbox was similar
to his HA Viva so just a few drive arounds needed.

[Andy B]

....
 and off since I passed my test (*cough* 23yrs ago this November) and  .....

still a novice then 

I passed my car test 2nd Aug 1979 & my bike test Nov 1980 

Passed bike test in 1962, 3  attempts  . Car was in 1966, first time thanks to my late Dad. Drove a Reliant on my bike licence and the gearbox was similar
to his HA Viva so just a few drive arounds needed.

That was the year I was born 

[Andy H]

Not many independent factors left, ECP have taken over the world.

I'd definitely avoid Starline - in fact my MOT man is always ranting at ECP when I go in, because they sent him Starline when he said any brand but Starline

If its a bastid job, sometimes branded is worth the extra to reduce the risk of having to do it again in 2 months...

There were two independent factors that I used for 20+ years when I lived in Dunstable (Milehams & Dunstable Motor Factors).

Milehams still appear to have the same signage that they had 30 years ago, DMF looks the same but is now Dunstable Motor Spares. No idea if they are as good as they used to be, I haven't been near the town for 15 years.

It took me about 90 minutes to get the starter off, take the end cap off for a look-see and then reassemble everything so not a bastid job

[iansoutham]

Remember as well that ECP and GSF have the same parent company and are now both known to inflate the retail prices to offer the discount. I have a trade account with GSF as I have caught them increasing the retail price by 50% to offer a 40% discount, which was still 16% dearer than if I did a click and collect as a retail customer. Warranty is a nightmare, electrical will almost certainly be declined unless from a garage and then, they insist you purchase a replacement in most cases whilst they claim to try and get a warranty claim paid out for you. Avoid both like the plague now, use a local factors called ABM.

Almost anyone that has the “Parts Alliance” logo will probably be as bad as ECP.

[Sir Tigger KC]

If it was me and an eighteen year old Ford that had sat under a tree for a few years, it would definitely be getting a second hand starter from ebay or a scrappy! 

[Andy H]

If it was me and an eighteen year old Ford that had sat under a tree for a few years, it would definitely be getting a second hand starter from ebay or a scrappy! 

I am inclined to agree with you.

[Migalot]

Passed car test Feb. 1978.

Passed mine in 1969.

Yep, almost a fossil. 

[cam.in.head]

whats the actual fault on yours ? brushes or solenoid ?
id be inclined to repair the original . better chance of it bring more reliable than an aftermarket or recon and you woudnt know the history of a scrappy one !

[Andy B]

whats the actual fault on yours ? brushes or solenoid ?
id be inclined to repair the original . better chance of it bring more reliable than an aftermarket or recon and you woudnt know the history of a scrappy one !

Agreed. many many years ago I bought a recon alternator for my Cortina (it was THAT long ago) .... I think they'd just painted it!

[Andy H]

whats the actual fault on yours ? brushes or solenoid ?
id be inclined to repair the original . better chance of it bring more reliable than an aftermarket or recon and you woudnt know the history of a scrappy one !

It sounds like a handful of rusty nuts and bolts being shaken in a biscuit tin.

I pulled the end cap off and found that the bearing/bush in the endcap has been worn (or bludgeoned) into an oval shape. It is almost as if the aluminium casting was too soft to support the bush 

Didn't bother pulling any more parts off but from what I could see the brushes are still good and the other end of the motor & solenoid are also unharmed.

I turned the endplate through 180 degrees when I refitted it which seems to have bought me some time to source a replacement.

[Sir Tigger KC]

whats the actual fault on yours ? brushes or solenoid ?
id be inclined to repair the original . better chance of it bring more reliable than an aftermarket or recon and you woudnt know the history of a scrappy one !

Agreed. many many years ago I bought a recon alternator for my Cortina (it was THAT long ago) .... I think they'd just painted it!

What's a Cortina?                                                         

[BazaJT]

Within a mile and a half of me there's a large Halfords an ECP and a Parkers while at the far end of town[about 3 miles]there are two Independant motor factors.
I remember the Cortina[and so many more]being launched-Consul Classic,Consul Capri,Triumph herald,Mini to name a few.

[countrywoman]

Yes and I have worked on all of them. I use the same factors I have done since 96, name and owner change and now part of Alliance network, yes they are shit now.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Within a mile and a half of me there's a large Halfords an ECP and a Parkers while at the far end of town[about 3 miles]there are two Independant motor factors.
I remember the Cortina[and so many more]being launched-Consul Classic,Consul Capri,Triumph herald,Mini to name a few.

In Lord Opti years I'm only 19, so don't know about these Cortinas of which you all speak.