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From: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
1976 starter issues
I own a 1976 with less than 50,000 miles. Last year, I painted and mostly re-assembled my 1972 442 so I hardly drove the Corvette! It had less than 50,000 actual miles! It sat in the front garage most of the summer and returned to the detached garage in the fall. I started it a few times but didn't try to drive it until yesterday! It has always had what I call a "Hang starter" that would pause for a brief second before it turned over. It has a new battery this spring and yesterday I was going to fill it up with no alcohol gas and was going to take a long drive in the country! Went to the gas station, filled up and when I went to start it, it still hung for a second but would only turn the engine a few degrees. AAA came out, checked the battery as good, cleaned the terminals too but still won't turn over. Brought out a flatbed and got it home and in the garage. Next up, it will go up on jackstands and I'll check connections to the starter and it that's not an issue then I'll remove it. The real question is, does anyone know of a good, reliable, trustworthy rebuilder of starters for cars within 100 miles or so from the Dayton, Ohio area?? I'd really like to keep the original on the Vette and don't want to switch it out! I just don't want someone to half *** rebuild it.
Any thoughts on my starter issues or rebuilder info appreciated.
OLE442
I own a 1976 with less than 50,000 miles. Last year, I painted and mostly re-assembled my 1972 442 so I hardly drove the Corvette! It had less than 50,000 actual miles! It sat in the front garage most of the summer and returned to the detached garage in the fall. I started it a few times but didn't try to drive it until yesterday! It has always had what I call a "Hang starter" that would pause for a brief second before it turned over. It has a new battery this spring and yesterday I was going to fill it up with no alcohol gas and was going to take a long drive in the country! Went to the gas station, filled up and when I went to start it, it still hung for a second but would only turn the engine a few degrees. AAA came out, checked the battery as good, cleaned the terminals too but still won't turn over. Brought out a flatbed and got it home and in the garage. Next up, it will go up on jackstands and I'll check connections to the starter and it that's not an issue then I'll remove it. The real question is, does anyone know of a good, reliable, trustworthy rebuilder of starters for cars within 100 miles or so from the Dayton, Ohio area?? I'd really like to keep the original on the Vette and don't want to switch it out! I just don't want someone to half *** rebuild it.
Any thoughts on my starter issues or rebuilder info appreciated.
OLE442
Did you check the condition of the ground cable where it attaches to the frame?
What is the battery voltage?
Did you check the positive connection at the starter?
Did you check under the cable insulation at all 4 ends for corrosion?
From: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The battery was checked by a tech and he said it was fine!
A friend I just talked to said to be sure to check where it’s grounded to the frame! I was going to ask if anyone could give an area to check for the ground on a 76 Vette?
We cleaned the battery cable ends at the battery and installed replacement bolts on them! I’m going to check the connection at the starter for corrosion and will clean up if needed!
I have my 442 on the lift to finish up three big main jobs and to install bucket seat covers so the Vette will need to be on jack stands before I check the connections and ground! The 442 is a priority! right now and I’ll work on the Vette off and on! I should not have ignored the Vette over the past year or so……. I got paid back!
The battery was checked by a tech and he said it was fine!
A friend I just talked to said to be sure to check where it’s grounded to the frame! I was going to ask if anyone could give an area to check for the ground on a 76 Vette?
We cleaned the battery cable ends at the battery and installed replacement bolts on them! I’m going to check the connection at the starter for corrosion and will clean up if needed!
I have my 442 on the lift to finish up three big main jobs and to install bucket seat covers so the Vette will need to be on jack stands before I check the connections and ground! The 442 is a priority! right now and I’ll work on the Vette off and on! I should not have ignored the Vette over the past year or so……. I got paid back!
Battery ground is on frame below battery compartment
You don't have a voltmeter?
And, those 50 year-old battery cables may have cancer hiding deep beneath insulation.
New cables are remarkably inexpensive.
However, POS+ cable (the looong one) can be a PITA to R&R. Suggest opt for heavier gage, all-copper cables.
From: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Rebel yell! I just got that name from a MOPAR fried! Do you live near Dayton? He said it’s across from where the old Kon Tiki movie theatre used to be back in the old days! He said they’ll rebuild the starter and get it back to you!
From: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
MelWff:
Nope….. no volt meter or multimeter! I’m dangerous with them! I have killed three multimeters! Someone checked the battery and said it was as new and functioning correctly!
Voltage is for running lights, stereo, fan blower, etc.
You can have 12.4 volts showing on a meter. But it's not volts that cranks a starter.
I had 12.4 volts showing on mine. Had it "Load-Tested" and applied to my old battery. Out of the former 700 Cold Cranking Amps,
just over 400 CCA was all that was left. No crank / slow crank.
Automotive Batteries lose charge at a rate of 1% per day. Not bad huh?
That one percent is nothing. Your daily driver will charge that up in a matter of minutes.
But wait. 1% daily = 30% loss a month. Two months and you are down to 60% charge.
But that's ok right? Afterall, the guys behind the parts counter charged all the batteries on the shelf last month.
Or was it, two months ago? Three months?
Don't kid yourself thinking a brand-new battery, off the shelf, is fully charged.
MelWff:
Nope….. no volt meter or multimeter! I’m dangerous with them! I have killed three multimeters! Someone checked the battery and said it was as new and functioning correctly!
The Best way to determine battery health is by use of a true Carbon-Pile Load Tester.
Local Auto Electric repair/rebuild shops have them to check your battery.
This is why I suggest that people charge the new battery completely before installing it in the vehicle. Many alternators never completely charge the automotive starting and Ignition battery during daily use. I charge my batteries up during the summer even just to keep them operating as full as possible.
Many battery retailers ever charge a battery while in their possession. They tell me they do but I have never seen them do it. When I buy a new battery I buy another Interstate battery at Costco. Then I take it home and charge it up.
Battery Self-Discharge is pretty bad on the standard Flooded Lead Acid battery. Unfortunately that is what our alternators were designed to charge so using another battery technology puts the charging points at settings that could adversely affect the different battery technologies. Absorbed Glass Mat batteries are much better for sitting without being charged as often. I use one in my RV where it sits for periods and the battery seems to be able to start the V10 right away.
Rebel yell! I just got that name from a MOPAR fried! Do you live near Dayton? He said it’s across from where the old Kon Tiki movie theatre used to be back in the old days! He said they’ll rebuild the starter and get it back to you!
Negative, sir.
I travel and know people.
I've flown in & out of DAY, and shepherded a project at Lima; am rather fond of their Kewpee burger joints.
*recently spotted this sticker on a minivan no less
"Condoms Prevent Minivans"
Last edited by Rebelyell; Aug 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM.
I enjoyed the Kewpee atmosphere as much as anything else the restaurant offers. It's been a few years, but recall that all staff were adults and wore crisp, clean white uniforms; men and women. Like a step back in time. Burgers were good as well. Not very best burger I've ever had; but the overall experience was A1. Lotsa clean & shiny ceramic tile. It was a welcome break from dining with the colleague I was often stuck with; he ALWAYS crowded the trough at any Bob Evans no matter where we crossed paths. The meal at a Bob Evans is fine mind you, but it's the same dang thing no matter what state or city. Kewpee has a charm all its own. I wish them all the best for their upcoming Centennial. With any luck, I'll be included.
1976 starter issues
burger joints.
