How Does A Pre Engaged Starter Motor Work. A pre-engaged starter motor achieves this by engaging the pinion with the ring-gear before it rotates. Later model MGB 1968 and later use the pre-engaged starter motor.

Here the main battery cable is connected directly to the starter motor. To engage the starter with the ring-gear on the engine before the starter is turned on. IE to pre-engage it.
It consists of a powerful DC Direct Current electric motor and the starter solenoid that is attached to the motor see the picture.
One of the most common with the inertia engaged type is the jamming of the pinion in the fully meshed position. As well as switching on the motor the solenoid also slides the pinion along the shaft to engage it. The starter motor is an electric motor that turns over or cranks the engine to start. It is not until this happens that the starter motor begins to turn.

