12 volt starter repair

[Omarttentmaker]

Anyone know a club member, or anybody else, that repairs Prestolite starters?

[T. Cotten]

Since nobody seems to, Omar,...

You need access to a lathe, a growler, and four wooden spring-type clothespins.

(And the Service Manual, of course!)

....Cotten

[Omarttentmaker]

Yeah, the growler is where I'm stuck!

[craig (DE)]

Omar, I know this won't help you but I used to have a local shop who rebuilt many of my starters, alternators and generators on my boats, tractors, cars, trucks and bikes. Unfortunately with todays throw away society, his services were no longer required and had to close his shop. My dad use to manage a car-carrier terminal shop that brought this guy tons of work too but those days are also long gone.

[BigLakeBob]

I would think you can check it for continuity just like a generator armature with a common meter. The commutator should have continuity from segment to segment but not to the rotor laminated segments. Also, remember the positive brushes go 180* from each other as the same for the negative brushes, not side by side. Here is a link to a repop, old Dixie stock. https://www.bmikarts.com/12V-Starter...81_p_5516.html
I bought one for a spare and have not tried it yet. Quality looks ok, can't beat the price. It is made in Taiwan.

[jim d]

You can find a growler on eBay. Talk to some folks that restore and repair old tractors. See who they are using. If you are close to a Amish community you may ask them about a repair shop. A electric motor repair shop should have a grower maybe they would test it or repair it.

[Arley]

Mercruiser uses prestolite starters.

[Lyle Manheimer]

Big Lake Bob is correct, you can use an ohm meter. A growler is just an audio continuity tester. You could even use an audio points tester. Armatures are usually the problem but it could also be the field coils. I thought I had seen replacement armatures, just can't remember where.
I know Nick sells rebuilt generators, I have bought generators from him and never had a problem. I do not know who he uses to rebuild them. He may also sell rebuilt starters. 856-728-9607.

[LUVMYSHOVELS]

just retired after 50 years as a rebuilder of starters , generators, alts, and dc motors. Have rebuilt many hd starters and a few for my own shovelheads. let me know.

[craig (DE)]

just retired after 50 years as a rebuilder of starters , generators, alts, and dc motors. Have rebuilt many hd starters and a few for my own shovelheads. let me know.

Good to know! Thanks.

[Omarttentmaker]

Mercruiser uses prestolite starters.

I cruised the internet for Mercruiser parts. Problem is, you can't access a parts catalog without inserting a serial number. Wonder if you could be a little more specific in regard to where Mercury uses the Prestolite starter. If I can sneak into the catalog, maybe I can find some original replacement parts like armatures, brushes and holders, field coils and pole shoes

[Arley]

I cruised the internet for Mercruiser parts. Problem is, you can't access a parts catalog without inserting a serial number. Wonder if you could be a little more specific in regard to where Mercury uses the Prestolite starter. If I can sneak into the catalog, maybe I can find some original replacement parts like armatures, brushes and holders, field coils and pole shoes

Idk my friend had a 60 hp and an 80 hp that used the prestolite starter. Whether parts are available or not you may check a local marina

[Omarttentmaker]

Idk my friend had a 60 hp and an 80 hp that used the prestolite starter. Whether parts are available or not you may check a local marina

Will do. Thanks for the lead.

[67sidecar]

Omar, Give the folks at Strobel Auto Electric a shout 585-584-3187. They are located at the corner of rt 20 & rt 19 in Pavilion NY. I had them go through a Sportster mag for me a few years ago. It's a real throw back shop, lots of farm tractor and industrial equipment electrical repair. Good Luck!