Bad starter Ya think so!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Bad starter Ya think so!
This starter is from Davids 77 (AllC34me) red car. We put in a crate motor, 5 speed yada yada. Basically the works. On the crate motor came this starter from GM. So I installed it and went ahead with the motor install. I started it up and it never did sound right but it started and worked so I thought I'll get to it later. Well later came and went and it was working OK but sounding strange. I took it over to have the front end aligned and all he$$ broke loose. I heard the guy start it and it screeched for about 5 seconds and stopped. He pulled it in and the owner came in and said there was a fire. I thought Davids car was toast at this point. I went out and looked and it was the wire from the selonoid to the starter that was cooked. They aligned it and wanted me out of the shop asap. I kind of know these guys so we discussed it and i told them it was not their fault so we pushed started the car and I drove home. David said put in a new starter which I did and it started just fine with no unusual noise. I finally got around to taking it apart and this is what I found. I don't know what was wrong with it but it decided to finally let go on the alignment guy. This was a brand new GM starter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Looks like it ate itself from the bendix gear end. Definately misaligned. That thing is still shiny new - demand a warrenty. What else was out of alignment in that crate motor?
cardo0
cardo0
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Yes it is. Not all the parts are visible in the picture. The front and rear bearing were in great shpe. It does looks like it moved around but the shafts were solid in the housing.
Here it is in better condition. Not a cheap unit either.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12363128/
Here it is in better condition. Not a cheap unit either.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12363128/
Last edited by Gordonm; Jul 13, 2010 at 10:18 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Yes it is. Not all the parts are visible in the picture. The front and rear bearing were in great shpe. It does looks like it moved around but the shafts were solid in the housing.
Here it is in better condition. Not a cheap unit either.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12363128/
Here it is in better condition. Not a cheap unit either.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12363128/
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
I don't believe that is a OE starter. OE is a gear reduction but not that one....Appears to be a aftermarket starter... get yourself the OE late model small starter from any parts store...it will be a staggered aluminum nose starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I like the 1987-89 Vette (I think that is the right year) Hitatchi gear reduction OEM starters. They only work on 153 tooth flywheels but, one went over 14 years life on my buddies engine dyno (real rough service.)
The other alternative is to look on "Fleabay" for NASCAR takeoffs again they only fit 153 tooth flywheels. Really nice stuff made by Race Proven Parts in NC. Those set-ups require a seperate soleniod to work, the GM 87 Vette starter has a built in soleniod.
The other alternative is to look on "Fleabay" for NASCAR takeoffs again they only fit 153 tooth flywheels. Really nice stuff made by Race Proven Parts in NC. Those set-ups require a seperate soleniod to work, the GM 87 Vette starter has a built in soleniod.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
The starter I put on his car after this was the GM gear reduction starter. It is the one that was used in the later C4 cars. It worked well on my car but I had to change it out when I went to the T56. So I just bolted it on his car and it is working fine.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Not really sure. It never did sound right from the first time I installed it. I made sure it was engaging properly but something let go and just shreaded the inside of this. I don't know if it was progressive or jus tlet go. Tha tmorning I fired it up it sounded like it always did but when it was started at the alignment shop it was a horrible sound and I was about 200 yards from the car when it happened. Hopefully just a bad one.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
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From: San Jose CA
Less draw on the battery, quicker starts, cooler sounds, less prone to heat soak, a lot less strain on the starter mount, easier to get on and off, esp with headers.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 518
Likes: 12
From: Panhandle
Not really sure. It never did sound right from the first time I installed it. I made sure it was engaging properly but something let go and just shreaded the inside of this. I don't know if it was progressive or jus tlet go. Tha tmorning I fired it up it sounded like it always did but when it was started at the alignment shop it was a horrible sound and I was about 200 yards from the car when it happened. Hopefully just a bad one.
