Well, I've actually had two different rebuilders retire in the last 10 years. The last one sold out to another guy, who then proceeded to not do a very good job (so I heard, never got to try him), which ended up with the buyer going out of business and closing up shop. I don't even know who he was, and my guy sold his house with the shop and moved, and I can't find him. I must admit, I haven't had to look for anyone since then, and although classic parts sells the starter for $199, I saw on Rock Auto last night I can get one for about $85.
Mike, thanks for the advice, I will try that before I go any further.
I spent the afternoon yesterday taking the new battery back to NAPA. After getting the truck started the other day, I had to wait to get back to it since it was getting too close to getting dark outside. Since it started "dragging" again when I tried to start it as soon as I had it out for a 10 minute ride. I even pulled the battery and took it inside and hooked it up my charger and let it charge all night (although it started it's float cycle before I went to bed.) Yesterday I went out and put the battery in, turned the key, hit the starter, and nothing. I turned the lights on and checked them and they were barely lit. Checked the battery with my multimeter and it read 7.5v (??) Pulled it, took it back to NAPA for an exchange, back to the house and to try again hoping this would be the time I could start it, take it for a 20 minute ride and get started on adjusting the valves. Just to make sure, I wanted to check the head lights to make sure it was the battery and not the truck that was dimming the lights, and when I pulled the light knob, it came out!! I messed with it a few times, but it's not staying in, so I started wondering if it's part of the problem. Since I have a new light switch on standby, I decided to stop right there and change out a possibly shorted light switch. I'm beginning to think this will be another 'parts replacement party' job. Is it the timing? Is it the starter? Is it the generator? The light switch? Who knows? All I know is I've got two trucks down at once. Stay tuned for the next episode.
