Starter rebuild....Or Not
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
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From: New Paltz, New York USA
Starter rebuild....Or Not
My starter in my 1981 is giving me trouble. It sometimes does not engage and just whines. I am thinking about buying a rebuild kit for the starter and one for the solenoid. Has anyone done this or should I just buy a new starter? I can get both kits for $25.00. TIA 
Race Director
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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It's not hard to do, but frankly with the prices of rebuilt starters being well under $50..sometimes WAY under. not sure if it's worth the trouble these days.
Even a cheap rebuild gets you a nice clean part with more checks than you are likely to so (armature tests with ohm meter), solenoid windings,new bushings in end plate and housing etc. Plus you get a warranty.
Used to build them all the time. In fact, you can even disassemble solenoid and flip contact washer and stud over to achieve new perfromance for "zero" $$$ when bucks are down.
JIM
Even a cheap rebuild gets you a nice clean part with more checks than you are likely to so (armature tests with ohm meter), solenoid windings,new bushings in end plate and housing etc. Plus you get a warranty.
Used to build them all the time. In fact, you can even disassemble solenoid and flip contact washer and stud over to achieve new perfromance for "zero" $$$ when bucks are down.
JIM
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
Thanks for the replys, I think you are right I will just buy another starter. Most of my 81 is rebuilt with Auto Zone parts. I can get another starter from them for well under $50.00. Thank you.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 560
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From: Mooresville NC
When you buy a new one from Autozone or the like, make sure the solenoid has a redish brown cap and states "hi temp". These solenoids are better for our hot cars. I bought mine ('79) for under $50 at Napa.
