Got the replacement starter yesterday, and it ain't gonna work. The mounting bolt holes are diagonal from each other vice straight across. The pic on Rock Auto website shows the correct one, so must have been misboxed...the downside of mail order and not being able to see what you're buying. So I gotta send it back for replacement...wonderful.

In the meantime, I ordered one from Amazon with fingers crossed that it's the right one just in case the second one from Rock Auto is wrong (again).

Stay tuned for an update.

 

Ever just think of trying Summit or local Napa?

 

According to previous given advice, seems like big box stores are frowned upon. I didn't check Summit, but we'll see how it goes from here.

 

So you went with Rock Auto ? The biggest box of them all ! I personally try to buy local as much as possible. My first choice is actually the dealer and then AC Delco. Otherwise I mostly get stuff from Carquest which is the same as Advance.

 

I bought a powermaster 3655 on november 06 2021 and yesterday it died, trying to call summit about it since it shows a year warranty and nothing but music, will try tomorrow Just a heads up Dave
I put my original Starter back in, will keep using it till I can get something better, Tim

 

Is there anyone semi local to you that will rebuild the original starter? I ordered a bunch of parts for my 64 from Rockauto and the first 3 items i tried to install were wrong. These were not expensive parts so not worth the trouble to return. I would much rather spend 30% more money to have parts refurbished than gamble on todays junk.

 

it's not the original...it came out of a late 80s G body with a 305.

 

Sounds like they sent you one for a Buick. They have the diagonal mounting holes if memory serves.

 

But it can be rebuilt by a local armature shop to be better than something you can buy online.

 

While I wouldn't recommend altering a brand new starter that might be covered under warranty, it IS possible to simply swap the Olds starter nose onto the new incorrect starter.

 

I assume you mean 307, that wouldn't fit. Yeah, you definitely need something better.

 

No, the starter body is from a 1980s 305 per the number stamped on it. Again, it's a frankenstarter from a commercial rebuilder - whatever parts were in the core bin. The nose pieces interchange.

 

Got both starters today and the mounting holes are correct. Now my dilemma is while I like the thought of using the AC Delco, it was remanufactured in China, and both the surfaces of where it makes contact with the engine block, as well as the "bosses" for the flanged bolts aren't machined like the Remy (see pics below). On the other hand, while the Remy looks to better made, well, it's Remy, so I wouldn't have the satisfaction of having a genuine AC Delco part, but it was put together in Mexico.

Here's the AC Delco:


...also, notice the hole in the bottom of the casing. Any ideas on why that's there?

And here's the Remy:


Note there is no hole in the casing.

What would you do?

 

The original starter was Delco Remy. Remy Electric Company built their first electric starter motor in 1912. In 1926 the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco) and The Remy Electric Company merged into Delco-Remy. Delco Remy became the Delco Products division of GM in 1929 and included Guide (taillights), Packard Cable (wiring), and later Crosley Radio. AC (Albert Champion - yes, that Champion) was the spark plug division of GM. GM rebranded the electric components as AC Delco in 1974. In 1994 GM split Delco Remy Division into two entities. The passenger car alternators, batteries, switches, sensors, solenoids, horns, vacuums, and ignitions product lines were merged into AC Delco Systems Division. The heavy duty vehicle products (trucks, construction, and ag equipment) and passenger car starter motors were spun off into Remy International under private investors. Technically Remy is closer to the maker of your original starter than AC Delco.

 

Joe, once again you have demonstrated why you're the "go-to" guy when it comes to technical issues. I checked out the history of Remy, and you are 100% correct. Also, now that I recall, I was going to go with Remy in the first place, so thanks (as always) for your input.

 

It's a drain hole. It's purpose is to drain moisture in the form of liquid water from the inside of the starter. Depending on manufacturer the drain hole can be placed in a different location (or locations) - some round, some square, some rectangular and not all located in same areas. The drain hole(s) will be facing in a downward direction regardless of size &/or number of holes.

 

Install complete and working great!

 

Dave - Roger that!