1972 oldsmobile cutlass supreme 350 engine, automatic transmission. (Never verified but probably a TH350)

My starter went bad and now i'm wondering what to buy.

Option 1:
Rockauto offers to exchange my old one/core for a rebuilt one.
But i live in germany so that would be pretty high effort/hassle to deal with.

Option 2:
Get a new starter like this one:
https://www.opgi.com/ignition-electr...1-g201019.html
Issue 1: I do not really trust new aftermarket parts
Issue 2: If one like this starts to go bad, will i still be able to tap it in order to get home? Or will i be stranded on the side of the road?

Option 3:
Looking for an NOS starter.
But i recently bought an NOS fan clutch for my 69 charger and it was bad right out of the 50 year old original box.
I don't know exactly how a starter works/whats inside but is it safe to buy one that has been on a shelf for over 50 years? Will this guarenteed work like
a NOS camshaft?

-----

Or is there a better option?
I'm looking for originality and if it finally goes out i want to be able to tap it in order to get home.
I did that today. Otherwise i would've been forced to call a tow truck.

 

Hi,

If you can find a place to redo your original, I had one redone by a local alternator shop 10+ years ago and still going, wasn't as cheap as a rockauto or local parts store piece but no fit or unexpected issues.

Regards,
Jim

 

X2 on a local re-builder.

What is wrong with yours? They aren't too difficult to repair unless they are really worn out.

On a 50 year old car there is a good chance the one in there isn't original to the car.

Good luck!!!

 

I don't know what's wrong with it yet. I was doing a little road trip today and after shutting it down for a break it wouldn't start back up. Sounded like a locked up engine when you tried.
After i tapped it a couple times i was able to start the car back up.
But it did not really come out of the blue. The car already started somewhat poorly for a while.

I wouldn't be surprised if it really is the original starter. If so it probably has already been rebuilt in the past.

I don't know someone that rebuilds starters and while i would love to get it rebuilt if it in fact is the original starter, for now i would like to get a replacement.

Just not sure what's the best option.
Is buying an nos starter a good idea?

Someone looking to sell an nos or rebuilt original starter that is confirmed working?

 

Using a hammer on a starter may point to worn-out brushes. Take it off and take it in for an assessment and likely rebuild. I have no doubt that a German mechanic can't repair it.

Hope this helps.....

 

An NOS starter is probably very difficult to find and expensive. If rebuilding yours isn't an option I'd try to get a Delco rebuilt one and keep the old one. You will encounter a core charge for the old one but avoid the return shipping charges.

Examine the battery cable connections at all 4 ends and load test the battery before committing to the starter. If you believe striking the starter helped that does point toward the starter being the problem.

Good luck!!!

 

X3 there has to be a place there where you live that can re-build it. These old GM starters are some of best there is.

 

Also take a peek at your starter, the one pictured on the right is a high torque GM unit the other is a standard one. I would make sure which one you have if you decide to buy one outright.

 

How about option 4: rebuild it yourself.

Unless the windings are smoked, you're probably fine with new brushes, starter drive, and solenoid. I've never sent a starter out for rebuilding, I just fix them myself. The solenoid swaps out with two three screws. The drive is a little more work due to the snap ring and retainer, but still not difficult. The brushes just need three hands to get everything pulled back so you can slide the armature into place between them.

 

I ended up buying one of these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/304521750089
The seller lists them as new but i suspect these are probably rebuilt?

I will look into getting my old one rebuilt if its the original one.

Odd thing is the car starts just fine at the moment. Started it at least 5 times since this happend without issue. Starts right up everytime.
But i suspect it will come back...

 

It's a remanufactured unit... should work well. Good luck!