Does anyone know what the "numbers correct" starter is for the '68 and '69 442s? There are a number of starters listed in the Chassis Service Manual for both years, along with their characteristics - the same appear for both years. My '69 442 convertible, which I'm fairly sure is all original (including the starter support bracket), has starter number 1108348 and it is dated in mid-March 1969 (car built in mid-May 1969). I don't see anything in the '69 Assembly Manual that tells me what the correct starter would be. The '68 Assembly Manual has an interesting "starter motor usage chart" in the upper right hand corner in Manual Section 6-0, page 110. It describes starter motor part numbers (1108349, 1108348, and 1108333) and their engine usage 654, 657 and 658). I was able to determine that 654 is the 350ci engine, 657 is the 455ci engine, and 658 is the 400ci engine. This table clearly shows that the 1108348 starter is for the 654 high compression, 657 low compression, and 658 engines. This tells me the correct starter for a '68 442 is 1108348. Can anyone confirm this for me? As well, can anyone confirm for me that the same starter was used on the '69 442 models with 400 engines? I suppose it would be the same, too, if you had a Vista Cruiser with the 400ci engine. Another confusing thing is that the Chassis Service Manuals for both years list another starter, 1108352, that has exactly the same characteristics as the 1108348 starter. I've rambled on long enough on this one! Any help/thoughts will be greatly appreciated! Randy C., Olympia, WA

 

Hey Randy! I Googled my starter p/n and came up with your 2-year old post. Sorry nobody ever responded. (I wasn't even on the board then!)

Anyway, I want to add that I just pulled the starter out of my '69 Cutlass "S" 350 2bbl w/ air this afternoon, and it's a 1108349, date code "9 C 11". My VIN is 336679M38116X (where X is a digit from 0 to 9). The body build date on the tag is 05A (1st week May). I believe this to be the original starter. Hope this helps.

 

Hi Bob,
I have since found out a few things about the starters. Yes, your 1108349 is correct for the 350 "low compression" (2 bbl carb) engine. The correct starter for all 400 engines (i.e., manual trans 350hp, auto trans 325hp, and turnpike cruiser 290hp) is 1108348. This starter was also used in the W31 (350 high compression engine) and the 455 low compression engine (B & C body cars?). And, the correct starter for the 455 high compression engine (Hurst Olds) is 1108333. The '68 assembly manual has a nice little box in manual section 6-0 page 110 that discusses these starter applications. Unfortunately, that box is not there in the '69 Cutlass/442 assembly manual, but, the starter part numbers are still the same for both years so I'm "ASSUMING" the same starters apply for the same engines. I know my '69 4-4-2 has starter #1108348 with a date code appropriate for the build date of the car.
Thanks for bringing this up again!

Randy C.

 

I was a little reluctant to activate an old post, but now that you've put out this valuable info for everyone I'm glad I did!

 

Looked at my starter and found it to be Delco-Remy 1108420 with date code 9E20. My 69 442 was built in June 1969, so the date code is consistent. But based on Randy's posts, it appears it is not standard for the 442. The starter should be 1108348. Based on a couple Ebay listings, it appears my starter was for a 1969 Chevelle, Corvette, or Camaro. Problem is my starter is a reverse configuration from the starters on Ebay. The first picture is my starter pulled off my car. The second picture is from one on Ebay. Notice the solenoid is on different sides. Is it possible my starter got rebuilt with my original end drive?

 

My guess is that your original starter got replaced by a remanufactured unit. I doubt that any part of this starter is original to your car. The main housing will work in either a CW or a CCW-rotating unit. It just happens to be a Chevy housing that the technician picked from the pile.

 

An Olds starter from that era would have a hole on the side to attach the brace (block to starter).

 

The red paper tag is a rebuild tag, so yes it was a rebuild with swapped housing. 420 was chevy. CCW rotation might be a marine starter but all GM cars of that era were Cw rotation starters

 

I put this file up yesterday then deleted it when I realized it was an old post--something I seem to be good at is adding to an old post

Anyway, at this time since there is more activity on this thread so I want to add a copy of a page from the1970 Delco Remy Parts Book. Original starters are listed in Column 2.

Hope this helps others down the road, Happy Motoring!