63 starter rebuilder needed

[Todd L.]

Hey guys, I had my original starter rebuilt by Chargers Electric around Chicago, and sent back three times and it still doesn't work properly. It looks great, and bench tests ok most of the time. They told me it was my solenoid, so I bought a new solenoid and it still didn't work. It will only engage enought to grind on the flywheel, not fully engage. I bought a NAPA rebuilt starter (with testing data) and it works beautifully. I put my solenoid on it and it still works beautifully. Therefore, the windings/fields from the main body are too weak and need to be replaced. Can anyone recommend a rebuilder that will rebuild the main armature and not just throw some new bushings in it, paint it and call it restored?

Thanks so much,
Todd

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

Todd have you had both starters side by side to see If the match exactly? (Housings,nose etc.)

[Todd L.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

They are slightly different. If they were exactly the same dimensions, I would have taken the internals out of the new one and put it into my original.

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

Todd can you post a pic? Maybe to late if already installed ,if you have a measurement of your original I can take a measurement of my 63 in place,I am wondering if the nose is incorrect?

[Todd L.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

It's the original starter from the car, it was on there from the factory.

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

It's pretty easy to rebuild these starters if you're a hands-on guy and the bushings don't need to be replaced and the armature is okay. The procedure with all the various checks and adjustments are in your 1963 Corvette Shop manual (and later COMs). Like distributors and alternators these GM starters are made from a family of interchangeable parts, so tens of millions were manufactured and a lot are still out there. The shift lever is a wear part, and IIRC there are two different sizes, so be sure to get the right one.

I haven't done one for awhile, but the last time I checked most of the internal parts for rebuilding starters AND solenoids are still available under various brand names from most auto parts chains. I expect most of these starter parts, as is the case with distributor parts, are now manufactured by Standard Motor Products to the GM prints.

Duke

[Todd L.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

My assumption is the armature is weak and that is why it won't spin fast enough to engage. Chargers put new bushings, shift lever, etc. This is why I am looking for someone that can replace/rebuild it.

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

Todd the solenoid will throw the drive mechanism out to flywheel. So I even if there was a problem with the armature it would still engage the drive to the flywheel, and maybe not have the turning RPMS. It sounds like something is keeping the drive from being thrown out all the way. Maybe take the solenoid off and see if when you take the lever and move the lever manually it extends the drive to the end of the front housing (easily) also make sure the barrel on the lever is not damaged and slides freely in the bore of solenoid.

[Kurt K.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

Maybe you need to just shim the starter? I ran into that same thing and shimming fixed it.

[Thomas S.]

[Todd L.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

Thanks Thomas, I will contact them.

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

Thanks Thomas, I will contact them.

Todd, look through the archives for comments about Chicago Corvette.

[Leif A.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

Todd,
If you're not comfortable doing the rebuild yourself, I can recommend Ken Bruno to do a proper rebuild. He advertises in the Driveline.

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

Have a read....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?129631-Source-for-original-carb&highlight=Chicago+Corvette

[Patrick H.]

Re: 63 starter rebuilder needed

Todd, look through the archives for comments about Chicago Corvette.

Strongly agree.