While cranking the engine, I had a back fire and after, while cranking again, it made a strange noise. I took plugs out and managed to rotate the engine with hands normally. PFFFF the engine sounds OK. Then I took the starter out and the aluminium end that holds the end gear was broken ! Thanks god, I could capture the broken piece with my fingers inside. Now is the dilemma: If plenty of suppliers offer rebuilt kit, I could not find a new complete starter (I would even change the solenoid to get a brand new package). Who has an address for that ? What is the best starter to fit in ? Do the mini starters from Japan that are advertised on ebay really fit in lieu of the big ones, and work well ? Thanks
Can't answer your question, but I had the same thing happen once. I had been advancing the timing bit by bit (turn it off, advance, start it, drive, turn off, etc - stupid thing) and had advanced it a bit too far. Be careful, or your engine might break another starter.
Truzi, Shame on me. This happenned after I inverted two spark plugs wires...Most stupid is that I put a sticker with a # on each end of the wires, and I had inverted the labels at two ends.... I must have typred "send "twice as my post is now split in two threads with same title. That was not my day...
I bought a very good rebuilt stock starter from NAPA. It was a USA rebuild and not offshore like the blister pack stores carry. It really spins the 9/1 engine over. I know, 9/1 is no big deal, but the new starter spins things much faster than the old one did. If I remember right, cost was $85. including core charge - think that was $16. I kept the core for a dummy starter in the new project. I did get a discount from NAPA, most NAPA's will give a discount, mine was about 25%. Make sure you get the heavy duty (HD) starter. If you get a Buick starter more than likely you will. (I have seen non HD starters for the BBB. The case may be Chevy or it may be small Buick.)
