For those of us who want to rebuild our own Starters where are you getting your rebuild kits. Amazon and E-bay are flooded with them. Google is giving me many more options. I'm not looking for a good deal on the cheapest parts I'm looking for packages that say Nippon Denso on them as in original replacement parts so it will work like it did when new. I realize that many of these parts are universal and fit many makes of cars. Corvette specific seems a bit harder to find.

 

If you're fortunate enough to have a 'local' electrical starter/alternator/generator service facility you want to shop, there and using your 'denso starter model number. You'll be able to match physically differences, dimensions etc. The plunger is typically the item that can be different in the mass marketed kits found most places. None of the 'denso parts are Corvette only. 'denso starters are by family. The small coils in 'denso solenoids can be hard finds. Parts lists do exist for 'denso by part number and the experience of a 'local' of what might be the preferred could be useful.

I used a 'local' for years that serviced large fleets, municipalities with emergency vehicles. Covid shuttered that service and I imagine many others.

 

My local rebuilder hasn't shut down he is still running a small Automotive Electrical business. He pretty much picks which cars he wants to work on by how accessible they are. In other words, he has way more business than he can do so he picks and chooses what he wants to work with. I stopped in with the Contacts, and he recognized them and went to see if he still had some. What he returned with were thinner than my originals and made it run for a couple of days. Typical of cheaply made copies. I used to take him my numbers matching Starters for restorations all the time, but those days are over. I have been recommended to another shop that I have never delt with in a local city. I see on eBay that the most expensive kits seem to be the biggest sellers. My new Rock Auto AC Delco Gold Starter has been a real letdown as many people me included are a waste of money.

 

I have purchased from these guys several years ago with no problems. If you have and supply the correct 'denso starter number they should be able to help you. If you've questions regarding the thickness etc. they might be able to help if you supply specs that you're looking for. Many very similar appearing contacts are actually different. Your 'denso is what original number?


DENSO STARTER PARTS

I also believe this guy is in Washington state and maybe who you were referred to?

Denso starter rebuild kits - LarryB's

 

I actually talked to him, and he said the only part he could provide was the Solenoid for the Corvette Starter. He then thought that Romaine Electric might be able to provide them. A quick search found one of their locations 15 minutes away that I never knew about. And better yet it is a one-man band shop that has great service. It turns out that old school investigation is the best method of obtaining parts. What I mean by this is that searching for parts on web sites make the Corvette Starters look like they are in a world of their own with parts being hard to find. But bring in a part and just holding it up to what he had proved to be easy to do. His sources of information weren't any better he started thumbing through old paper catalogs that proved to be frustrating trying to find anything for the Corvette Starters. For some reason they were overlooked back in the day. But just holding whatever part you need up to what somebody has who rebuilds the Denso Starters proves to show the Corvette Starters are not anything special at all.
The early Denso uses different parts than the late Lt1 Starter. The early one being rated at 1.3 KW and the late one being rated at 1.4 KW. Being the Hot Rodder, I am and learning that most Denso Starters are made from the same parts and that the mounting methods are the main difference I asked if anybody used a starter with a higher rating than 1.4 KW. His catalog shows an Acura has a 1.6 so it might be possible to build a high-performance starter Frankenstein style.
On a side note, I talked with Jim who runs the shop and spotted a Bridport Mill in the back and ended up buying a whole box of end Mills he had that he never uses for pennies on the dollar. Typical of the world we live in he is going to retire in a year or so and I assume the big company who owns the business will probably just close the shop when he does.