If my memory serves me correctly, I posted a thread on the original problem the OP had about 6 years ago, although the problem may have occurred at Advance Auto Parts. The starter listed for 85's is the California version with the solenoid on the bottom, not the top. To get the Federal version, you need to order an earlier year starter.
By the way, the starter I got with a lifetime warranty from Advance was still spinning fine when I sold the 77 earlier this year.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

can you recommend a good book on how to get started on such a thing?

__________________
Jennifer
90 350sdl

Around here parts store service and quality is all over the map - evan at the same store.

My local Pep-Boys stocks Bosch rebuilts. Most seem to be better-than-average quality - OE type finish, with new bolts, hardware etc... unlike some other parts-store's items that look like beat-up used parts with a fresh coat of paint. But Service depends on who's behind the counter at any particular time. Often claim over the phone to have parts in stock, but not when I get there. And special-orders take 5 DAYS, so I often go elsewhere.

In the last 5 years, management at my neighborhood NAPA store went from good to bad to better now, so I've started using them again. Their prices are usually highest, but occasionally the cheapest.

CarQuest is close to NAPA quality-wise, prices often a bit cheaper and they can usually order parts in one day, or even the same day.

As for AutoZone - there's only one in the Alexandria area and it's not convenient to me, but last month they were the only area auto-parts store that stocked a new fuel pump for an '86 Corolla, and at the lowest price.
And last fall, the Virginia Beach AutoZone was the only store there that stocked a mass-airflow-sensor for my Nissan Altima (Even Nissan dealers didn't stock it)
So it goes.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

Watch it Mark, the mods will get on you for those kind of comments.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

.

I cant think of one in particular.

I know I ran across a decent one at the local library years ago.

Sorry


RichC

.

__________________

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix

Hey, I've bought parts from Phil-Fastlane, but sometimes I need parts TODAY!

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

It was the anti-homosexual part I was referring to.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Two years ago, the Fairfax County Library discarded all their Mitchell Auto Repair manuals. I'm still P Oed, BIG TIME!

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

Unfortunately, my wireless keyboard, and my limited typing skill sometimes creates unintentional statements.
Typo corrected!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I was just kidding, it was a good typo.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

We have a great local auto electrical rebuilder in town. They do all starters, alternators, boat stuff, and small engine stuff. Usually with 1 day turnaround. I have also had other ones do electric window regulators. The prices are cheaper, service in about a day, and you know it fits going back in. Several examples:

Johnson outboard starter: $200 from dealer, $60 rebuilt
Lincoln Mark VIII high end alternator: $450 from Napa new, $ 75 rebuilt
VW GTI alternator: $275 from Napa, $60 rebuilt
Chevy Big Block High Output Starter for Boat: $350 from dealer, $45 rebuilt

I have probably another 5 items done by them, all done well. They go through the part, replace bearings, diodes, check wiring, lubricate, and TEST.

If you are trying to do it yourself, most of these things are pretty simple. Get a cheap one from a junk yard and take it apart. I worked at an autoparts store in college and would go to the core bin for old starters. They come apart pretty easily, you can see the issues with brushes, shorted armatures, and rust. I must have put together 30 old Ford starters for friends back then. My favorite was fixing my Uncles outboard boat starter on the kitchen table before breakfast and skiing that morning! It was just rust and bad brush connections from sitting all winter.

I did that route. It worked for 6 months till it burnt up. I saw black marks on the alternator and the plastic pieces were melted. My Autozone replacement one is still chugging along just fine. Sometimes it is luck of the draw.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Damn, that was an expensive mistake.. Wonder if they auctioned them off? Maybe they went to the Goodwill, and somebody got the entire set for like $15?

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79 MB 280 SEL Euro 133k
77 MB 450SL 154k
05 Mustang GT Vert (3) 104k
12 TSX Wagon Tech (66k) (192k)
06 Subaru Outback base (135k) 164k
16 Acura MDX (109k) 111k
18 Silverado 2500 LTZ Midnight (212) 56k
97 Ford Ranger 163k
11 RAV4 154k
01 Escape 173k
04 Honda Pilot 292k
1967 Mustang (Resto Project)
1968 Mustang (Parts Bin)
00 Ford Ranger 124k

I'm sure they got rid of them at a used-book sale. Had I known, I would have bought the lot. The librarian claimed the Mitchell manuals were no longer needed, because all the automobile repair information was on their computer, but it's a fraction of what was on the paper manuals, with a 50/50 chance that there won't be anything at all for a particular make & model car. Reading "data not availible" on the computer screen gets old real fast!

To carry their concept even further, they could put the entire library contents on the database (In condensed form, if the Michell fiasco is any indication!) then pitch ALL the books. At least the taxpayers wouldn't have to pay to maintain library buildings & employees.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

But is all the info on CD? Well, sometimes yes, sometimes no. I have seen some manuals from the shop that are very complete and some that are so vague, they make good booster seats. I suppose it depends on what you get? I had an Alldata CD that I think was basically the shop manual that was copied on CD format.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow