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starter replacement

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Old Feb 17, 2003 | 08:11 PM
  #1  
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From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Default starter replacement

Hey guys, I believe my starter has a "dead spot", and I suppose the best route is to replace it before it leaves me & my vette on a flatbed on the way to the closest garage :eek:

Is the OE AC/Delco critical for replacement, or can I go with a refurb (such as ProStart at your friendly Pep Boys)? Its my understanding they use AC/Delco cores and rebuild using other parts for the bearings, bushings, etc.

Or must I order a new AC/Delco starter and pay alot more?

Before I bought my vette, I had a nissan 300ZX and had Pep Boys replace the starter with a ProStart. It really worked great, so I wonder how critical this is for the corvette. I've read other threads about alternators, but will I do fine going the Pep Boys route?

Thanks, anything would be appreciated! :seeya :chevy
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Old Feb 17, 2003 | 08:24 PM
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Default Re: starter replacement (bradvette)

I "played" with my starter. Kept on taking in on and off to see if I could make it work. Tried a starter from one of the auto parts stores but in the end got a Delco from GM. Wasn't that much more (IIRC) but I haven't had any problems.

Replacing the starter on a C4 is not fun. I, unfortunately, got real good at it. :mad

I do not know about ProStarts but I would say that whatever you put under there, make sure you only have to do it once.

And by "dead spot" do you mean that it some times seems to engage better than others? Could be a bad gear on the starter or worse, bad gear on the flywheel. I do not know how good the ring gears on Chevy's are.


[Modified by yellowlust, 1:27 AM 2/18/2003]
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Old Feb 17, 2003 | 08:43 PM
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From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Default Re: starter replacement (yellowlust)

Yellowlust, at times there is just a short faint buzz sound when turning the key, ie, it does not engage at all, but all the lights go on and there is full battery power. This happens maybe once in 60 starts beginning about 4 months ago, but the other day it took about 15 tries before the starter wound up. So I think its about to go kaput very soon.
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Old Feb 17, 2003 | 08:54 PM
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Default Re: starter replacement (bradvette)

For GM replacement, check out Jeff Kopp at superchevyperformance.com

High torgue starters are small and easy to replace. Just two bolts plus the electrical connections.

A rebuild is just that! Something that was broken that someone tried to fix! (IMHO)

:D

:steering: [ I love that Lil Guy! ]
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Old Feb 17, 2003 | 08:56 PM
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From: Portland OR
Default Re: starter replacement (bradvette)

Yellowlust, at times there is just a short faint buzz sound when turning the key, ie, it does not engage at all, but all the lights go on and there is full battery power. This happens maybe once in 60 starts beginning about 4 months ago, but the other day it took about 15 tries before the starter wound up. So I think its about to go kaput very soon.
It doesn't seem like you have all that many miles on the starter but it could very well be the starter gear. Sounds like similar symptoms to what I had.
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Old Feb 17, 2003 | 11:58 PM
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Default Re: starter replacement (yellowlust)

Sounds like the bendix has or is going south. Before you invest in a new starter tested by a competent automotive pro. You may just get a plesant suprise.
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Old Feb 18, 2003 | 12:29 AM
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Default Re: starter replacement (Muffin)

You can have your starter rebuilt if you'd rather. I've had mine out a couple times. The hardest part about getting it out is getting the car jacked up. It takes only a few minutes to pull the two bolts and wires off it to get it out. I personally would just buy a replacement from Jeff. Everyone I have ever heard do business w/ him has been very happy and his prices are unbeatable.
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Old Feb 18, 2003 | 10:53 AM
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From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Default Re: starter replacement (Rob 91Z07)

You can have your starter rebuilt if you'd rather. I've had mine out a couple times. The hardest part about getting it out is getting the car jacked up. It takes only a few minutes to pull the two bolts and wires off it to get it out. I personally would just buy a replacement from Jeff. Everyone I have ever heard do business w/ him has been very happy and his prices are unbeatable.
Thanks Rob, and everyone else. I agree a straight replacement is the way to go. Its most likely the starter solenoid, but I'm not messing with repairing (I only have one car!) A new AC/Delco for the L98 & LT1 is $159.25 from Jeff Kopp. Thats a good price compared to everyone else I checked with :D
Thanks again everyone for your help! :cheers: :chevy
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