Classic/Antique Car Repair: starting problems, automotive starters, moss motors

Question
You are a godsend.  I am the proud owner of a 1976 MG Midget 1500.  The other day I stalled the car after placing a cigar in my mouth the wrong way burning my mouth.  The car was always hard starting after it had been running for awhile, I always attributed it to a bad battery, which i knew about.  After this incident, it turned over twice, but not the third time.  Now it just clicks, but nothing happened.  I replaced the battery but that did not work.  My guess is either starter motor burned out, as it had been loaded quite heavily when trying to restart after the car had been running.  It could be the ignition switch, but i never had any reason to suspect this.  Or, a wiring problem.  By the way, sometimes when starting, it sounds like the starter spins, but not the engine.  this emits a loud whine.  i dont know if this is relevent.  thanks...Jay

Answer
Jason:

Sorry about that cigar!As a "starting point" (so to speak!)
I'd do the following things:  check all grounding wires/cables at the points on the engine block and the body. These should be large cables like the battery cables and connections/terminals (which I'd also check as well) Check for loose or very dirty greasy connections -clean well and tighten.  Also check the actual cable connection on the starter motor ( also clean and make reasonably tight- don't go overboard on this one).

It does sound like your starter motor should be removed and at least inspected and cleaned and mostlikely -rebuilt. Lots of places specialize in automotive starters (and the old generator) rebuilds - look in the Yellow pages. Or use the usual suspects like AutoZone, Advance Auto, NAPA, etc. Or as a third choice go mail order with Moss Motors.

I doubt that it is related to your starting switch- when the car is running try "wiggling" the key/switch and see if anything happens- like the engine stopping. If nothing happend the switch is probably o.K.