Finally got my starter back!

[MarcDeSoto]

After many weeks, I got my starter back.  The electric shop had to send the solenoid to a specialist in Maine since they didn't have the parts.  I made the mistake of trying to install it alone without my helper.  I could put the starter in place and push it into the bell housing, but it was hard holding the starter with one hand and trying to start the top bolt with the other.  But try as hard as I could, I just couldn't find the sweet spot to screw the bolt in.  Then my left hand slipped and the starter was hanging by the tips of my fingers.  I tried to lower it to the floor, but it fell the last few inches.  But I don't think any harm was done.  After that, I put a heavy cushion beneath the starter.  Now, I'm going to wait until my helper comes over before trying that again!  

[D35 Torpedo]

They certainly are good and heavy. I rigged up a rope so i could stick it in and loop the back with the rope. It takes the weight while i fiddle with bolts.

[MarcDeSoto]

Good idea.  I was thinking about my jack, but I was afraid it would roll off.  

[joecoozie]

Try wedging a piece of wood between the starter and the block to hold it "up".

Or, wait for your helper......

[Saskwatch]

Was reading in the forum from a few years back, regretfully can not remember the members name but he posted that he got a longer bolt, cut the head off , inserted it in the lower mount position & used it as a guide to slide and hold starter in position , then fasten top bolt , nut & lock washer on the bottom!

  Bob’s your uncle. ?

[Sam Buchanan]

1 hour ago, Saskwatch said:

Was reading in the forum from a few years back, regretfully can not remember the members name but he posted that he got a longer bolt, cut the head off , inserted it in the lower mount position & used it as a guide to slide and hold starter in position , then fasten top bolt , nut & lock washer on the bottom!

  Bob’s your uncle. ?

 

Now we're thinking.

 

Kinda like the guide pins we use for installing the transmission and oil pan.

 

Edited March 21, 2023 by Sam Buchanan

[squirebill]

What Sam Buchanan said.  Necessity is the mother of invention.

[Saskwatch]

Soooo Thankful for P15 - D24 forum , simply the best !  Open the front door , you instantly have access to like minded individuals that are more than willing to help/ advise  to any problem /situation you may be in !

    Thank you All ! ?

[slatgrille]

Since I'm in Maine, would you mind indicating what person/business did the starter work. They must be good to have it sent across the country from CA! The local guy who rebuilt starters and generators for me passed away several years ago. I'm lucky I have an old time radiator shop 7 miles away that does antique cars and trucks.

 

Craig

[greg g]

This fellow has quite a good selection of NOS and old remanufactured starters generators, plus small electrical  parts for 30s through 60s Chrysler vehicles and industrial applications .

 

https://www.cars24.cc/company-atlas-electrical-rebuilders-in-syracuse-ny-87377

 

 

 

[harmony]

3 hours ago, Saskwatch said:

Was reading in the forum from a few years back, regretfully can not remember the members name but he posted that he got a longer bolt, cut the head off , inserted it in the lower mount position & used it as a guide to slide and hold starter in position , then fasten top bolt , nut & lock washer on the bottom!

  Bob’s your uncle. ?

Yep that's a great trick.  I used that same method when replacing the exhaust manifolds on my twin 454 marine engines in my boat.  Man those things are heavy, and once you get them lined up, as you all know, on V8's the matching surfaces are angled down.  So you have to have arms like Popeye, to hold the exhaust manifold exactly in place while you fumble around, with your other hand, blindly I might add, to line up the first bolt, with the holes in the block, all at the same time while trying not to move the exhaust gasket.  For sure, threading in a couple extra long bolts with the head cut off is a life saver. 

Having said that, after installing my starter on my spare engine just a few days ago.  There is very little room to get the end of the starter past the oil filter lines. Then once I got it in the hole, it seemed like I had to wiggle it clockwise/counter clockwise a bit for everything to line up inside.  But it would sure be worth a try.

[MarcDeSoto]

I asked for the specialist's contact information, and they said I am going through them, not the specialist.  So I guess it's proprietary.  I used the Richer Auto Electric shop in Oceanside, CA.  The price for them check out my starter, and the solenoid work came to $280.  Here is my rebuilt solenoid.  Looks good.  I'm anxious to get my motor started again!

 

 

[capt den]

there is a special curved box wrench that can be a big help putting in the starter if it mounts like mine on the 54 windsor. still available many places.   capt den

[JerseyHarold]

12 hours ago, Saskwatch said:

Was reading in the forum from a few years back, regretfully can not remember the members name but he posted that he got a longer bolt, cut the head off , inserted it in the lower mount position & used it as a guide to slide and hold starter in position , then fasten top bolt , nut & lock washer on the bottom!

  Bob’s your uncle. ?

It might've been me.  I've posted that suggestion on a few forums when needed. 

[MarcDeSoto]

Got my starter installed today, but now it won't crank!  yesterday, I gave the starter housing a quick paint spray.  I also painted the part of the housing that goes into the bell housing.  Is that how the starter is grounded?  Or is it grounded with the two bolts that hold the starter in?  

[MarcDeSoto]

I wonder if the problem could be that the specialist who rebuilt the solenoid was not told that it was positive ground?  Is that even a possiblity?  Anyway, I called the shop and am bringing it in tomorrow for them to check out the problem.  

[joecoozie]

I would remove the paint from the housing that you painted. Looking at the pictures you posted prior to the rebuild there is no paint there.

Did you try to ground the starter remotely and then try cranking it?

[MarcDeSoto]

No I didn't.  I don't know enough about starters to mess with it. I called the shop and they said that the starter should be grounded with the bolts that hold it to the bell housing.  I will know more about tomorrow I hope.  

[SteveR]

4 hours ago, MarcDeSoto said:

I called the shop and they said that the starter should be grounded with the bolts that hold it to the bell housing.

However if the mounting bolts are on a painted surface they will not ground and as you have painted the housing there probably is no ground. See what the shop says about it being set up for + ground and remover the paint from the housing. You should have a metal to metal contact between the starter and the housing.

[kencombs]

I think you'll find that the solenoid/relay will not care which side is grounded.  Completed circuit creates magnetism either way.  I say that because more than once over the years I've encountered a battery installed backwards.  Car started and ran fine.

[MarcDeSoto]

Major brain fart!  Grounding was NOT the problem.  I could swear on a stack of Bibles that when I connected the remote starter switch to the solenoid before, I connected it to the upper outer terminal, not the inside terminal closer to the block.  I took the starter in to the shop today and asked them if the specialist might have rebuilt my solenoid for a negative ground car.  I showed them where I connected my starter switch and he said "that's ground".  He said "you connect it here" pointing to the upper inner terminal.  He asked if I would like to see it run on the bench, and I said yes.  So we went to the bench where my starter ran like a top!  I said how I really feel dumb right now, and they said better you than us!  Now the starter is installed in my chassis and is cranking as fast as any 12 volt starter I know of. The blow up of the starter that I included here clearly shows where the solenoid switch is, right where they said it was!