Starter/difflock syncro specific tech question

[silverbullet]

Here's a question...Aidan identified the starter fitted to the '85 DG as a later "long" 950W starter, not the very early "short" type which it would have had originally, so it's been swapped and the D/l bracket change to the later long type too. OK so far.
I have got a low-miles service exchange starter from a 2wd WBX to replace it, as the brush wiring was damaged inside.
It's a later Lucas silver seal one, but the steel casing (in the middle) is 9mm longer than the one I removed and the whole thing is 10-11 mm longer overall.
Clearance from the end cap of the starter to the d/lock bracket is about 6mm so no problems there; but the vac hoses will have to connect pointing forward/down (toward the gear lever) instead of back/up as before (was this correct anyway?)
Anyone had any direct experience of this or forsee any problems, or should I get the slightly shorter starter repaired so the vac hoses can point upward?

Another strange thing - the bellhousing has what looks like a cut-out, put in with a half-round file, at the bottom of the starter connection flange. I can see that it will let a lot of water in, it's a good 4mm deep (radially)
Is this a bodge? Feature of early syncros (2wd bellhousing?) Should I just fill it up with a dollop of sealant?

Thanks in advance chaps

[Aidan]

hoses down always on gearbox difflock, up on front and decoupler, sealant on cut out and mating faces - odd feature that on yours
wasn't sure yours was the longer starter just that you had the longer bracket and would best be served by long pin for long term starter availability
check the part number stamped in side of starters

[silverbullet]

Thanks Aidan - I've just spotted the "pipes down" arrangement thanks to a pic of Neil's gearbox out on the bench!
I wasn't sure how much the length difference is between long and short starters but it looks ok. Snug, but there is space between everything.
I'll take a pic of this feature in the starter aperture - most odd. Completely defeats the point of the breather!
Maybe it's a 2wd one after all, being as it's a DG?

[silverbullet]

Clearance all round so it's OK:

You can remove starter without taking the bracket off (don't know about in the vehicle, but you'll probably have to lower the nose of the gearbox for access):

Cut-out in bellhousing viewed from below:

With the starter removed and having wire brushed it, I can see the file strokes, so it's a bodge :

But for what?

[syncropaddy]

But for what?

Thats where the gremlins get into your gearbox .....

[silverbullet]

I resorted to Devcon Aluminium filler, so problem solved
I wonder who did it though...MG? Most unlikely. One of the other two then...own up chaps!