I have the original starter, converted to 12V. The little arm or bracket that holds one of the brushes, broke. I don't know the name of the part. I looked on eGay and found two starters, it's freaking ridiculous what they're asking for them. Has anyone else had this issue, and solved it, at a reasonable cost? Thanks.
From your description, I'd say it known as the "brush holder". Can it not be repaired.....welded or brazed? It may be supplied with the end plate ***embly and it is quite likely that the part is common to most of the Autolite starters of that era, 6 cyl or V8. An older automotive electrical shop, especially one that caters to industrial and/or agricultural customers, may very well have new or used parts available. Ray
Thanks, Ray. I've been looking on line for parts. I came across the brushes, bendix spring, or clutch as some have called it, and even the armature, I think that's what they call it. The part looks like it's made of plastic. I was referred to a shop in town last night, "old cars is their specialty". I will visit them Saturday morning we'll see. I was hoping there was some kind of swap, to a more modern upgrade.
Send me a pic and I should be able to help you out. We can rebuild the whole starter or I can send the part.
...the oem 6v starter has been known to live a long time on 12 volts as long as you don't have to grind on it for a long time in order to start the engine.... .
I'm running a 318 poly. Rockauto has a starter with a solenoid on it. I don't think I have room to run it with my set up. I'll get a picture when I get home. Both my hemi and my Poly started right up. I just had it rebuilt about 6 mos. ago. I never had to crank it for too long before it started.
Photo might be helpful. OK, 318 Poly. Pre-62 or post 62? There should be no shortage of starters available for the early setup and not at some ridiculous price. The late stuff is just that.... Use a mini Dakota type if you are post-62. .
You can use a standard Delco 10mt positive brush holder and grind it down to fit the prestolite holder. The prestolite brush supports are just a little narrower.
Took it in on Saturday, and the guy said he'll call me by late Monday morning. I showed him a picture of the part it needs and he wasn't very concerned. He said, "believe or not, parts for theses are very attainable". He was a little more worried about how worn one of the brushes looked in the picture, considering the rebuild from 6 months ago at a different shop. He's going to go through the whole thing and let me know. I'll keep you posted.
Got the starter back...apparently the last people I took it to, to rebuild, didn't rebuild it. They basically just cleaned it, replaced two brushes and painted it. That really chaps my ***.
A lot of that going around these days....with the big name parts "remanufacturers". A good friend of mine, a really smart, mechanically savvy general repair garage owner, was just lamenting to me the terrible time he is having with defective reman parts. He on his third R&P unit in weeks for an OT popular car, old enough, no new parts available, but still lots of 'em on the road. Customer will 'understand' the first time......maybe the second.....but tend to blame him thereafter. Other parts are 'perishables' and 'no longer available'...again for a decent population of older models still being driven. Tough business to be in when you can't depend on quality parts. Ray
Yeah...pretty disappointed. I've been taking things there for twenty-five years. The only reason I went to the new place, is because they specialize in old cars and there was a broken piece inside the starter, I didn't think the first shop would had in stock.
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