69 350/350 - Cost to replace starter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 124
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix, Az
69 350/350 - Cost to replace starter
All,
Had my 69 in the shop getting a muffler adjusted and they just called and said that my starter died...
They are claiming $75-$115 ($75 is the hourly rate) to replace + the cost of a new starter.
Thanks,
Andrew
Had my 69 in the shop getting a muffler adjusted and they just called and said that my starter died...
They are claiming $75-$115 ($75 is the hourly rate) to replace + the cost of a new starter.
Thanks,
Andrew
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
if it is the original starter, I would have it rebuilt by a starter shop, if not original, I would rebuild it myself. If the field and armature are good, then the other pieces are cheap to replace. What did they say was wrong withe starter??? Could just be a bad connection at the battery or some where else. Most starters are replaced and are not bad.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It is very rare for a starter to "die". The most frequent cause of starter-related problems is that the starter solenoid has failed (a much less costly repair). There are only three things in a starter that can fail: the brushes can wear out [minor problem to fix]; the bearings can wear out [most unusual, and it won't prevent it from cranking]; and the armature can burn up {I have never seen one that did}.
I'm suspecting a little "hanky-panky" [or plain-old stupidity] at the shop. Call me 'paranoid', but I find it odd that your starter system failed while the car was in their possession.
There are other defects that could cause a "no start" problem:
Bad battery connection;
Bad battery wire;
Someone left something on and the battery ran down;
Neutral Start switch or wiring problem;
If the car has a manual tranny, some idiot may not have depressed the clutch pedal and the interlock would prevent starting;
Ignition switch problem.
Call the manager back and ask him/her how this problem occurred; then suggest that they try a few things to see what they did wrong.
I'm suspecting a little "hanky-panky" [or plain-old stupidity] at the shop. Call me 'paranoid', but I find it odd that your starter system failed while the car was in their possession.
There are other defects that could cause a "no start" problem:
Bad battery connection;
Bad battery wire;
Someone left something on and the battery ran down;
Neutral Start switch or wiring problem;
If the car has a manual tranny, some idiot may not have depressed the clutch pedal and the interlock would prevent starting;
Ignition switch problem.
Call the manager back and ask him/her how this problem occurred; then suggest that they try a few things to see what they did wrong.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Yes Sir; The labor cost in the metro Kansas City area, is normal 105.00 per hour, with a minimum of one hour. If you are a No's guy, save the old starter. A Starter, will usually cost around 85.00 to 100.00 Plus tax. outright. Most guys on here would change the starter themselves, but in someone else's shop. Most Insurance will not allow. Yes it is usually the solenoid, but the labor would still be the same. 7T1vette is on the money. Good Luck, Gene
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 124
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix, Az
Thanks for the replies...
About the 'starter going bad,' The shop said:
1. The timing is too advanced and was never set correctly. They said that my timing gear is not set correctly or my distributor notch it out by 'one or two.' Currently the points dwell is 39.
2. The positive cable on the starter was loose.
I have very little knowledge when it comes to points ignition and timing. I haven't touched the timing since I bought it last year.
Your thoughts?
About the 'starter going bad,' The shop said:
1. The timing is too advanced and was never set correctly. They said that my timing gear is not set correctly or my distributor notch it out by 'one or two.' Currently the points dwell is 39.
2. The positive cable on the starter was loose.
I have very little knowledge when it comes to points ignition and timing. I haven't touched the timing since I bought it last year.
Your thoughts?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
do you trust these people and know them?
you take the car their for a muffler issue, now the starter , distributor, timing , cables have issues.
Sounds like they are hunting problems or
making work.
Tell them to fix what you said to fix and leave your car alone.
Bring it home and look at it your self and try and see what is going on if anything.
This sounds like a somebody trying to take advantage of customer to me.
FIND someone you KNOW well and Trust to work on your car.
you take the car their for a muffler issue, now the starter , distributor, timing , cables have issues.
Sounds like they are hunting problems or
making work.
Tell them to fix what you said to fix and leave your car alone.
Bring it home and look at it your self and try and see what is going on if anything.
This sounds like a somebody trying to take advantage of customer to me.
FIND someone you KNOW well and Trust to work on your car.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 234
Likes: 24
From: Warsaw Ohio
This could of very well of "just" happened, can't say for sure I wasn't there. It happened to Me at My Shop years ago, I tuned up a 72 lincoln and went to start it and nothin . Customer was pissed tune up was too much and now this . Last thing I wanted to do was change the Starter on one of these P.O.S. no picnic. Did the starter at cost and less than half labor. Still not happy and lost Customer , good riddance. Used to see Her regurally at the drunken "hack" across the street, I would just laugh and say He will do the kind of "quality" work She was willing to pay for. Old Cars break, expecially if they are not fixed right in the first place.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
[/quote]...2. The positive cable on the starter was loose...[/quote]
You have to have power to the starter.
