The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Problem with Starter

The only thing I changed was the solenoid. Everything else is as it was when I got the truck.

The casting numbers on my block show that it is a 1955-57 Chevrolet 235, according to one of the links offered here on the Stovebolt site. The starter is a Delco-Remy with the numbers 1108427 2A17 1. As I said earlier, it is not the original foot-activated starter that came with the truck. It would seem the Bendix drive--if that is what it's called--could be the trouble. Are these available or would it be smarter to just get a whole new unit? It would be a shame, since I just put a new solenoid on this one.

Then see if you can get the starter drive. My bet is the grinding you keep hearing is the drive slipping inside. They make a heck of a noise when they wear.

The drive should turn one way, but not the other if you try to turn it by hand. If it turns both ways by hand then it is toast. From the way you describe the sound, my bet the drive is bad.

But make sure you get the right length. May have to drive to a rebuilders to get the right one. Find a starter and alternator rebuild shop and go see them. They can tell you quick if the drive is bad.

Thanks, Roy. It seems like that is the only possibility at this point. I haven't tried turning the pinion gear both ways yet but will do that tomorrow. There is a shop here that I've used before and will likely take it to them. I plan to eventually re-install a foot-actuated starter, so maybe now is the time to do that. I believe Classic Auto Parts had them listed for $134.

You're rebuilder may have one. may be a lot cheaper too. If you want to go back with the stomp starter, check with them first.

Take your old drive with you and compare them,dont depend on part numbers.

Ebay has the 56 foot stomp ready starter for $150

His rebuilder can probably fix him up a stomp starter much cheaper.

I'll give the place a call tomorrow and see what they can do. In the meantime, I have discovered that most, if not all, of the linkage for the stomp starter is still on the truck. I removed it today and it looks like the only thing I might be missing is the return spring.
If my rebuilder can't fix me up, I'm just going to by one from one of the usual vendors. They're going for about 135. There is a $50 core charge, but by the time Ipay the postage to send my old starter to them and pay the postage for the new starter to be sent to me, it might be cheaper to eat the core charge.