I’ll try to make this as short as I can. Back in November my starter motor started acting up. It would grind occasionally. I was told to check the bendix. When I pulled it off the car I realized that the housing was cracked and I decided to replace the starter. I went to NAPA and bought a remanufactured starter. With in a few weeks the starter started acting up. Didn’t want to crank the engine after the engine warmed up. Then it would crank and then stop. That would cause the gear to retract and then re-engage (that was very painful). Back to NAPA to get another starter. The replacement starter worked fine until the engine warmed up then the same thing. It didn’t want to crank the engine (this starter didn't try to eat the flywheel). I was recently told that there are two starter motors for Chevrolet in 1969 graemlins/clonk.gif . One is a regular starter and the other is a high torque starter. Supposedly you can tell the difference by the metal tab that bolts to the solenoid. The regular starter bolts directly to the solenoid and the hi-torque starter requires a spacer between the metal tab and the solenoid. NAPA found a hi-torque starter in their book (although it’s not listed for a 69 big block) that they are going to give me in exchange for the one on the car. Does it sound like I’m heading in the right direction? Has anyone had a problem like this?

Points to remember:
1) The old starter never had a problem cranking last summer when it was really hot outside (8000 miles on the car last year & no problems).
2) The cranking problem started with the replacement starters, the battery seem good.

Thanks for any help,
Bubba

Bubba, sounds like you just have the "napa blues". First of all, there hasn't been a "bendix" in a car since 1937. These are starter drives nowadays. There are listings for high torque starters, even for a `69 model, and they are just an earlier version of todays gear reduction units. There is no reason a regular GM starter shouldn't work just fine in your case, but do yourself a huge favor - stay away from the aftermarket when it comes to electrical components. Go get a GM starter from your local dealer. Problem solved, and good luck!

i pick up a rebuilt delco starter from kragen - have been using it for a few months now - cranks everytime - nice and strong, even when hot

they cost 30 bucks here and you can give them your old starter

Years ago I put 3 starters on a friends ford pickup within 2 hrs. all junk.... thankyou grand auto, quite a lesson,, only quality parts, pay more, work less. graemlins/clonk.gif

I think on the right track with the spacer and the longer screw to mount up the solenoid. I've heard that those are heavier duty.
Roger

UPDATE!

I contacted NAPA about the two types of starters. The salesman put me in touch with the technical department for the company they buy their remanufactured starters from. I was told that they only list one type starter for 1969 Chevelle’s but they have a high torque starter listed for the big block Corvette. NAPA ordered one and I picked it up on Monday ( they swapped it out for no charge). I installed the new starter yesterday along with the rear bracket (from Ground Up). The car starts like a new car. First time every time.

Thanks for your responses,
Bubba

Bubba, Maybe it had something to do with the 13.5-1 compression ratio and 42 degrees of locked in timing you're running. :D

Originally posted by von:
Bubba, Maybe it had something to do with the 13.5-1 compression ratio and 42 degrees of locked in timing you're running. :D Von,

Somehow all that good stuff is not getting transfered to the pavement. Just the poor gas mileage :mad:

Oh yea, did I ever tell you how much I like the way your car looks ;)

I like yours too. smile.gif