The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Torque Valve of Starter Screws

I’m rebuilding a 12 volt starter.
Does anyone know the torque value for the four housing screws that hold the field coils in place?
Several folks have told me “real tight” but in my book, that’s not the right answer.

Thanks,
-Mike

Mike,

Found this current info page for Delco Remy straight drive starters that are for the most part modern versions of our earlier starters (someone can come along and correct me if I am wrong please):

https://www.delcoremy.com/documents...embly-or-pole-shoe-package-replacem.aspx

Appears to provide the current torque values for reassembly of these starters.

Hope this is of some help.

Dan

You'll need a pole shoe vise to keep the screwdriver-shaped tool bottomed in the slot in the attaching screw, and a support strut inside the housing to keep from distorting it. You simply won't be able to put enough torque on the screw otherwise. I'd say a minimum of 40-50 ft.-lbs. will be required.
Jerry

For those wondering what a pole shoe vice might be (me included), check post numbers 3-5 in this thread. Sorry, it's a Ferd forum, but the tools are similar.

The tool is pretty universal, no matter what brand of starter or generator is being repaired. There's supposed to be a threaded expandable strut that's placed inside the housing to prevent collapsing or distorting it when pressure is exerted on the jackscrew to keep the tool in the slot while removing or installing the pole shoe screws. I started using that kind of tooling in the late 1950's in my father's shop.
Jerry

Wow! So much more than I thought. I agree that it will take a lot of pressure to keep the tooling firmly in the screw slot when torquing. Thanks for the Delco Remy reference and the additional guidance. I believe than a couple of guys in my “For*” club May have these tool, so I will reach out to them. If I show up on Saturday with a six pack, they’ll probably do cartwheels to help me. 😜.

Thanks for the advice & guidance. I’ll keep you posted.
-Mike

A hydraulic press can be used as a field-expedient pole shoe vise, as long as you support the pole shoes from inside to avoid distorting the housing when applying pressure to the tooling. I have ground a drag link socket to fit the slot in the pole shoe screws and used a 1/2" drive T handle to turn it with pressure applied to the tool. Use a big Crescent wrench to hold the housing and keep it from turning while tightening the screws. Just be sure everything is set up perfectly vertical, and don't overdo it on the pressure! You can use a 1/2-13 "coupling nut" and two short bolts to make a support strut for the inside of the housing.
Jerry