I don't know if i want to try another rebuilt starter.
I mean it looks brand new but that does not necessarily have to mean something...

But in case i can't find an NOS starter: Are there rebuilders where i can rely on getting a starter as good as new? Is Hungsinger one of them?

Edit: This by the way is the last starter i bought: https://www.ebay.de/itm/295736531316 that i currently suspect to cause problems.

 

Michael - Rebuild the starter yourself. Look - there isn't much to rebuilding a 1972 Oldsmobile 350 starter motor. They sell the starter drive, brushes, bushings & solenoid. Very seldom does the armature or the commutator EVER need replacement - I'd go as far as to say they never need replacement, but that would be a mistake; but, the armature/commutator are designed to last basically forever. What will wear are the brushes and that is WHY they sell replacement brushes - they get chewed up after thousands of start cycles and you have to replace them when they get "stubby". They're no different than any other electrical motor with an armature & commutator - I personally replace brushes on numerous electrical motors & that's because they wear and that's the reason they sell new brushes. Same applies for the bushings, starter drive & solenoid. Once you open the case, you'll find pounds (exaggeration) of metal dust, grease, grit & grime. It's an easy job to clean the entire inside of the starter. The most difficult part of rebuilding a starter is sliding the armature into the case while holding the brushes out of the way. This is not a difficult piece of equipment - certainly far less difficult than most people are led to believe. There's a reason they sell starter parts for your starter.

 

Yes, if you have the right starter, by all means rebuild it. Finding a NOS starter is not an easy task, and a rebuilt starter done right is just as comparable.

 

x3 on rebuilding that starter

 

Gang
I have always bought rebuilt starter motors as a unit, sometimes with a new solenoid attached. Quality has varied over the years and I've tried full-size and mini-starters along the way.

Would one of you be good enough to post a source for the starter motor replacement parts?

It would be an interesting project one day, but I'd like to have the parts on hand for when a motor goes out and then just have that event prompt the work than have the car down a a week or so awaiting parts.

Having said that my last starter motor broke the part that shoves the gear forward to engage the flexplate. From what I learned here from Joe P & others, a replacement unit was called for on that occasion.

Cheers
Chris

 

Chris - You need to identify the manufacturer, year & model of the vehicle - without this information, it's impossible to identify &/or source any availability of starter motor parts. In the grand scheme of things, older starter motors are far easier to work on than newer style starter motors. Not every automotive parts supply house will stock &/or source every part for a starter motor - you'd need to do your research based on make, model & year, perhaps the starter motor part number, as well. There exists a fair number of starter (electrical/electronics) parts supply houses. A fast simple search on RA should reveal a very basic identification of common replacement parts such as the case for Michael in this thread i.e. 1972 Oldsmobile 350 starter motor. If you're going to pursue additional information regarding the sourcing of parts for your starter motor you'd be better served by creating your own thread.

 

You know what, i just bought that starter.
It looks like the person who rebuilt it takes pride in what he does so i hope that this really is the case and not just lipstick on a pig.

I do not have time to rebuild a starter. Especially since i never did it before.
I would have to figure out how to do it and then if it does not work figure out what went wrong etc. I just don't have the time to deal with that right now.

 

I'm wondering if he's referring to the wire going to the radiator support up there as "headlight ground".

 

I don't believe so. I provided him w/ the image/diagram illustrating the battery terminal ground wire fastened to the radiator shroud chassis upright support. Called out in Post 32

 

No but that's also there.

 

The seller contacted me and said he can't locate the starter i ordered -.-
He offered me this starter instead: https://www.ebay.de/itm/354922261543
Looks to me like a big block starter. At least i can see slight differences.

I don't know yet if i'm interested at all but does it even fit my car? I mean plug and play.
Its a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with the 350 4bbl sbo and 350th transmission.

 

I don't believe your specifications call for a high torque starter. The only real way to determine if the starter the seller is trying to sell you is a high torque starter is to take the back cover off and count the copper bars on the armature commutator. A high torque starter will have 23 bars. It's difficult to arrive at the correct conclusion about the starter just looking at its outward appearance. Suspicious why the seller does not provide the number stamped on the starter, or at least a picture showing the number in the listing.

That aside, why pay more for a high torque starter when you don't need that application?

 

The question is will it fit (without any massaging)? I can see a few minor differences so it's not 100% identical from the outside.
I don't know yet if i'm interested no matter if it fits or not but knowing if it fits is important in making a decision of course.

 

Ask the seller what number is stamped on the starter he wants to sell you.

 

I reviewed this seller this morning several times. The listing is available in English, as well. This same seller listed full information regarding another low-compression starter w/ complete information & part number with photos. I'm not saying the seller is attempting to deceive anyone, but I thoroughly doubt the seller is the person who actually rebuilt the starters. Why? Because the person who truly rebuilt the starter would, in fact, list the part number(s).

 

As per my above comment - look at the URLs by this seller on eBay - one demonstrates the same starter is SOLD (listing is in English), but you can click on the listing and you'll find the exact same starter which was sold listed at the bottom of the page; the other listings just aren't very well displayed IMO - I'm not 100% on board w/ this seller.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?item...&_ssn=nanhuns0

 

I just want to be clear, I'm NOT suggesting any deceit or misrepresentation by this seller at all. Perhaps it's the translation of the listing from English to German (?), I don't know, but why not list everything including part number(s) and photos consistent with the other starters they have for sale. I'd reach out to this seller for more information regarding part numbers and/or photos before ever making a purchase.

 

My gut feeling is also more towards "stay away".
I will sleep one night over it and if i'm still interested i will ask for more info. Otherwise i will just tell him to cancel the purchase.

 

I thought I recognized this seller. I have the seller listed in my Preferred Sellers on eBay. In reviewing my eBay transactions I purchased a 1970-72 Oldsmobile F85, Cutlass, 442, W-30 Dash Clock US $135.00
Order date:Jan 23, 2022
Order total:US $144.11
Order number:22-08166-89683

The clock arrived in excellent condition; however, it wasn't keeping time accurately. I contacted the seller, who then asked me to reach out to the individual who actually performed the rebuild of the clock the seller had listed. I reached out to the individual who rebuilt the clock and kept the seller informed along the way. It was an excellent transaction and the seller made every attempt to help/assist me as the clock came w/ a warranty. I just want to share this information because if I have them in my preferred seller list on eBay, and I recall this transaction quite well, I want to provide you and anyone this seller is an excellent seller who was very easy and forthcoming in providing assistance.

 

Well i decided against it. I want the correct starter and preferably NOS not rebuilt.
I just told the seller to refund and cancel the transaction.

 

I think you'll be waiting a lifetime to find a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 350 NOS starter.

 

^^^this^^^^

 

Well i just posted a request:
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...7/#post1512707

I know they are rare but i do not think it'll take a century to find one.

Also i'm not absolutely against a rebuilt starter (might have no choice and need to buy one anyway)
It's just that rebuilt starters are hit and miss and i do not really want to gamble with starters.
I pretty much can't send them back from germany if there is a problem. It's just to expensive. (That's why i asked if there is a trustable source for rebuilt starters)

Regarding the starter i recently turned down:
On top of being rebuilt it's not the correct one for my car. No matter if it works or not.
So i'm not willing to take a "huge" 300$ gamble (incl. Shipping):
1.Will it fit
2.Will it work (correctly)