H2

Looking at the starter gear on the starter of the '88 I just bought, and it looks more worn than I'm comfortable with. Can I replace just the starter gear...or do I have to buy a complete new starter? All's good except the engagement gear. Thanks.

Harvey

Dave H.

try a starter shop.

Imo000

How bad is it? Can you post a picture?

H2

I haven't removed the starter yet but can see through where the missing fiber/foam spacer piece used to be. The starter gear is worn on BOTH sides and is thin in the middle. I do not want this to wear the larger clutch ring gear so I'll either replace the gear or install a new starter (if I have to). Just trying to size up what parts I need to be buying to bring my '88 up to spec while I have it on blocks.

Harvey

Jim M.

IIRC those gears are tapered so the middle is higher than the ends. That's for easier engagement if the gear doesn't line up perfectly with the flywheel. I'd compare it to your other car, or to any new starter at a shop before buying a new one.

Jim Mayzurk
93 GTS 5-spd

JHowell37

If it's all working, leave it alone until it fails. I suppose you can take it to a shop that rebuilds starters and other electric motors but since this one is almost 20 years old they're going to tell you to rebuild it anyway. Do you let them do it, or do you get one from the discount parts store that's guaranteed forever? But that leads us back to the first question. If the starter operates in its present capacity, why mess with it at all?

H2

The starter gear looks to be in such poor shape that I do not want it to damage the flywheel gear with which it engages. When I pull the starter I'll know if the flywheel gear is OK.

Harvey

Imo000

If you want, I can take a picture of the starter that I took off the parts car. This way you can compare them and see if in fact the starter gear is worn or its jsut cut that way.

JP Rodkey

YES.

H2

ImoOOO,

If that's not too much problem, I'd appreciate a foto. Then I'd know whether to start ordering parts or how to plan. My starter's gear wear looks un-natural to me. Not like any starter gear I've ever seen. JP Rodkey says that I can replace the starter gear. That sound good. Now to find one (I'm pretty sure I need one).

Thanks much!

Harvey

Imo000

Harvey,

Here you go! If you need a better close up, I can crop the original and re size it.

H2

Thanks, ImoOOO,

Without a doubt, my starter gear is toast...yours looks like it should. Now, I have to figure out my next step. I really appreciate you doing that. No, my gear is worn on both sides to a thin piece of metal in the center.

I "owe" you.

Harvey

Imo000

How can a starter gear wear out so much?!?! I meany, how many times did it had to be engaded to wear out like that. Maybe it got stuck in the ON postion at some point and wore itself out.

How's the rind gear looking? Are the teeth realy worn too?

P.S. The starter in the picture is for sale, if interested send me a PM.

PorKen

Harv,

I've got a couple/three stock starters, one is rebuilt but 2 years used, one is a core. (I bought a pair of mini-starters.)

H2

A spacer brtween the starter & the bell housing was missing, causing the starter to not be lined up good. I also hope the ring gear is fine but I'm not going to tear into it until I get a clean title back in my name. It got delayed for several resons...one , I insisted that the mileage be posted on the title but they say the car is too old. I gave up as the bill of sale shows mileage anyway and I can get it notatized... Any day now I hope the title will be back and I'll start ordering parts.

Harvey