Hey Guys-

I posted a question about a 72 402 Chevelle SS big block starter and alternator in the tag team section the other day. Sorry about the mistake. What I'm wondering is I heard to have my original starter restored to factory specs (inside and out) it would cost about $225. I'm guessing close to the same for the alternator. Anyway, they are numbers matching to my engine/car. I was wondering if it would be possible to buy a remanufactured starter and alternator from ground up which are original GM rebuilt by AC Delco ($79.99 and $69.99 ea. respectively) and take them apart and put my #'s matching parts on them. So the front piece I would replace on the alternator with my original #'s matching part and on the starter, replace the whole round metal piece with the numbers stamped into it. I'm concerned with the alternator piece having a 30 year old bearing in it yet and the starter metal round piece with the numbers has some wiring and other stuff inside of it. Is this stuff replaceable? I guess I could just use the parts from the new starter and alternator I get. Let me know if I can do this and if I'm on the right track. Sorry about the long post. Thanks!

yes you can buy new ones and put their guts into your old housings,however i'm not sure about the bearings in the housings.most failures i've ever had on starters have been from worn or weak armature,and field coils,but the alternators are usually from that bearing in the back going dry. you may be able to get a machine shop to press and swap them out for you? if it's a car thats driven then my recomendation is to get a 96 and up Vortec 454 starter and eliminate the old hot start blues. i put one on mine and absolutely love it! bolts right up,gear rediction,perm-magnet motor,and just save your #'s matching parts.

hello-

I might consider doing that. However, my car is a numbers matching car and I'm trying to restore it with all its original parts. I guess I'll have to decide what to do. Thanks for your response!

As the owner of a #'s matching car also.....I would put the newer usable parts on it to drive & just stash away the origonal stuff. I am doing the very same myself.

Well, the only time this car is going to get driven is to shows, etc. I want to have the car at least 95% matching numbers for the show. The car wouldnt get more than 2,000 miles a year, since it is stored for 6 out of the 12 months a year anyway. I got quoted $47 to restore a starter from a different guy. That's more in my range. I think I'll go that route? Thanks!!

You know the numbers matching rebuilder is taking advantage of a market. I doubt he puts much more work into rebuilding a numbers matching starter than a normal parts store rebuild.

You may find a local shop that repairs/rebuilds starters or alternators. Let him know what you're doing. Ask him to freshen it up. He may be able to rebuild it for you for close to the YO price and not the numbers matching rebuilder.

Yes, you are right. I found a guy who restores starters and alternators and even look like new original each for $46.95. Beats the heck out of $225 a piece. I hate when people try take advantage of people like that. This guy that I'm having restore my starter and alternator has been doing this for 25+ years. Thanks for all your help guys!!