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Starter questions; parts, rebuild, etc.

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tosoutherncars

tosoutherncars

Jedi Knight
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Hi all,

My local parts places are quoting me almost $200 for a rebuilt starter. (!) Yes, we get killed on car parts in Canada, even when our dollar is doing well against the greenback.

Rather than wait for a $80 job from Rock Auto, I wouldn't mind having a go at rebuilding it.

1) Where have you guys managed to find rebuild parts?

2) I keep seeing reference to a US car that cross-references, but nobody seems very sure of what model. '64 Dart, Pontiac, something or other... Does anyone know for certain what the right reference is?

3) I saw a write-up of a rebuild, either on here or elsewhere, but I can't find it now. Does anyone have a link to a good walk-through of a starter rebuild?

Thanks,
Duncan
 
The correct car is a Cricket, but it is the same starter as the Midget, so it will be the same part number and price.
 
what's wrong with it?
 
Trevor, your faith in auto parts stores is heartwarming! I can only assume that the parts counter guys in Kentucky are a lot sharper than the ones here in Ottawa. I wouldn't trust most of these guys to boil water, and their ability to cross-reference parts is terrifyingly bad. If I can take them by the hand and give them a nice easy American model to look for (and not one of those scary imports) it might help!

Interestingly, on the Rock Auto site, if I pull up the MG, I only get the starter or the brushes. But if I pull up the 1971 Plymouth Cricket 1.5L, I also get the bearing, bushing, drive, and solenoid repair kit parts.
 
It's not popping out and engaging the flywheel. It just makes a lovely "whizzzz" sound. It used to do it ocasionally, and would disengage too early, which I understand is a sign of the brushes being warn out? It's stranded me twice, had to get push-started last weekend, so it's time to act.
 
any local shops, starter, alternator places? I got rebuilt starter for my old Opel there for $30, maybe they'll have brushes for you? Tear it down and clean it all up, can't hurt, it's fun and could take care of it. Maybe even a salvage yard has some?
 
It might not be spinning fast enough OR maybe the bendix just needs to be cleaned and sprinkled with graphite powder.
 
Easy first thing to do is take the Bendix assembly and clean it. Could be just as simple as it getting dirt and oil in the grooves stopping the gear from sliding forward. Should be assembled clean with no grease.
 
Duncan,

That's why I carry that short adjustable box wrench. When that Bendix gets stuck out there, simply turning it in with the wrench will enable you to get going once again. Happens usually 2-3 times per year and not at opportune times of course. I know how to fix and if it gets worse I discovered a little out of the way starter/generator/alternator rebuild shop < a mile from my house. Been here 10 years and sign is so small that I never noticed it before.
 
And, brushes are an easy fix - a little solder and you're good to go.
 
If it is making a whizzing or whirring sound, then the starter IS spinning and the Bendix is not sliding as it should! As stated above, a good cleaning is in order and then GRAPHITE, not oil or grease should be used to keep it from binding!!
 
OK, here's the result of the disassembly...

Starting point.

IMG_0117.jpg


Brushes... look like they should have some life left in them.

IMG_0120.jpg


IMG_0118.jpg


Now, the post that comes up through the cap came unsoldered, I don't know whether that's due to my ham-fistedness, or whether it was already like that. In any case, I'll stick it back on.

IMG_0119.jpg


Bendix (that's the spiral part that engages the flywheel, right?) was a little grubby and stiff, but no visible wear. I've cleaned it up, it now moves fairly freely.

I'll put it all back together, see what results I get... and order both a rebuilt unit and a rebuild kit from Rock Auto or something.
 
tosoutherncars said:
I'll put it all back together, see what results I get... and order both a rebuilt unit and a rebuild kit from Rock Auto or something.
Click to expand...

Why? brushes look good and you just essentially "rebuilt" it. I'd bet you're good to go. I'd sure try it out before I ordered up anything.
 
Well, happy tidings! I got it all back together, grabbed the jumper cables, and tested the starter. It spins up, and the bendix now seems to pull in fairly quickly. As suggested, I've cleaned it, (carb / throttle cleaner) wiped it down, let it dry, and then given it a light spray of graphite.

I've given the starter body a quick spray of black paint, and will stick it back in the car tomorrow, to see if it now works. Thanks very much, to all who helped!
 
Duncan I have an old starter that you can have for parts if you want. I don"t know it works.
 
Guess why professional racers keep the shops so clean.
 
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