Took apart my LT1 starter to clean it up after a no crank condition in the fall, thankfully 2 nice guys gave me push for a pop start at the gas station where I filled up and was otherwise stuck. I recall the digital voltage readout dipping to something like 8v when I attempted to crank. Replacing the 10yr old battery, the likely culprit but figured I’d see what’s going on in the starter.

Solenoid plunger and contacts were a bit pitted and really dirty. Sanded smooth. Took apart the motor as well. Cleaned up the commutator with some 600 grit, lots of meat on the brushes still. Hit it all with contact cleaner. Cleaned and regressed the gear reduction.

Now all back together, works perfect on the bench. Haven’t installed in the car yet. Asking myself if I’m missing an insulating cover on the large copper shunts. I know one wasn’t present when I tore the thing apart. It looked more normal then when it was covered in grit and grease, blended right in. Clean and shiny this looks like a short waiting to happen. Am I missing or is this really how it is?

Also seen a recent thread where a LT1 starter had a gasket (looked like foam) around the bendix. I don’t have that. Available? Anyone get creative and make one?

thanks



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For around 20 bucks you can get a new plunger and copper contacts. Those and the brushes are pretty much all that goes bad on these starters 90% of the time they stop working. Sanding the contacts to remove pitting is a bad idea, you take more metal away, they run even hotter and pit even faster. Spend the money to do it right. Glad to see you taking the time to tear it apart. Bravo sir, Bravo!

 

I was planning on replacing but had some trouble finding parts that were a guaranteed fit. I don’t think I took more than a few hundredths off to clean up, should it show issues again it’s easy enough to pull apart and replace.

Looks like that gasket can’t be bought. Doesn’t seem to be too critical.

Any idea if the backside of that shunt is supposed to be covered? Suppose I should look in my FSM!

 

Solenoid gasket and most other parts can be purchased. Is your current starter the original with Denso & GM # on plate OR is it an already been replaced at least once? There was a change in OE starters in the 'termination' vicinity in maybe '94 (WAG might have been a year earlier). Yours looks to be the later. Was there a boot of any fashion in the termination area? If this link sticks there should be a 'boot' used on only I believe the earlier.

https://www.maniacelectricmotors.com...-corvette.html

 

Great link, thank you for posting.

Looks like they may have their LT5 and LT1 vin codes flip flopped. Wonder if the starter guts between the 2 interchange?

 

A 'Denso starter is a 'Denso starter. I don't and have never bought from that source and I have catalog(s) that actually sort by 'Denso #. It was/is a good 'quick reference' for yourself and others. I fixed the link (I believe) so that it should only display '92+ LT1/4 cranking motors.

If your motor is original w/#'s you should be using that number for reference.