Hi again.
So here's what developed:
Yes, something not quite right with that armature. But not having anything else to compare the starter motor too, I was at a total loss. Until you twigged my curiosity.
I happened to recall a box of generator and starter parts that came with the truck eons ago.
I located the box and in it was another armature that looked like the ones you showed (and similar to my service manual). It had no id number anywhere on it though.
See attached pics.
So, I cleaned it up and installed it into the existing core (1814231). It fit perfectly, and both your details and those of the manual's played out -- thanks.
Then it was bench tested. It ran well, but drew about 80 amps at 12 volts (compared to 55 amps with previous mismatched armature in the previous pics).
After testing I installed it into the truck. Hooked up the battery ..and... AGAIN IT STARTED GRINDING.
It just refuses to engage the flywheel, like before with the mismatched armature.
I disconnected the battery and tried to manually work the lever and Nope, just sounds like the drive pinion is banging up against the flywheel without threading into its teeth.
I may have mentioned that those teeth on the flywheel still seem intact. At least those what I can see through the starter port (before installation).
I tried moving the crank a few degrees, but still the drive pinion just won't engage.
What the heck is going on??
Where do I go from here?
I wouldn't think applying 12 volts would affect engagement, as it hasn't been a problem even with the old mismatched armature --- until it was reinstalled after cleaning and new brushes, and then it too no longer engaged.
..and that's what started this "adventure"
