Warren Seale

My 72 442 with 455 has a starter with number 1108776 and date code 5E191. I bought an NOS Delco Remy solenoid D984 (GM # 1114531). This should fit based on my research but it does not. This solenoid is shorter and has a narrower bore for the plunger than the one I took off the starter. I figured that the starter is not the "correct" one for this car but still fits based on the date code. It looks like this starter is from 75. Can anyone fill me in on what is going on here? Will I need a different plunger?

stellar

If you want to use that solenoid you will need a different plunger. It will work, but that solenoid has 90 winds. Thats a low number of coil wind turns especially for hot starts. A 1114458 or equal would work. If you get an aftermarket solenoid be careful as they may have 98 coil turns 128 turns 130 turns and 132 turns. The more the better.

joe_padavano

Is there some way to tell, especially with an aftermarket part, or do you just need to know the right number to buy? And how do you know if an aftermarket vendor has substituted a lesser part in his catalog in the interest of consolidating part numbers?

stellar

Thats a very good question Joe. I don't have the answer. I only know what the parts from my supplier are. I would think a resistance test would show, but I have never done that. When I think about it I will. and I'll give my results. I help a buddy that has a rebuild shop and he uses the 130 coil wrap with the high heat cap made in China solenoids and has pretty good results. For my own rebuilds I use the 132 coil wraps with a high heat cap made in USA and have excellent results. The ones I use cost 50% more than his. I also reuse Delco OE solenoids that have new contacts installed.

droldsmorland

Get the HD solenoid/spring designed for a GM 454 big block truck/van applications.
A good parts supply house or Starter/Alternator rebuilder will be able to cross ref. to the HD version.

Warren Seale

I picked up the smaller plunger from a local auto electric shop. I'll use this smaller solenoid for now and see how it works. This is not a daily driver so it may not be much of a problem. If I find it is problematic I'll track down the larger solenoid.

stellar

Often the smaller solenoid has a metric post. It is 10mm and the OE cable won't go over it without reaming it out.

Warren Seale

I replaced my pos and neg cables with the Inline Tube reproduction and the cable lug fit the post without an issue. Also the solenoid is an NOS Delco Remy circa mid 80s.