Alternative starter for '58 283 and 4 speed Granny

[bogape]

My starter is quite worn. It's the one that bolts to the bellhousing. They are difficult/expensive to get new or reconditioned, especially here in Europe. Can I use the more common one that bolts to the block, without any mods? It looks like the threaded holes are there...

thanks

[1project2many]

Possibly. Sometimes the bellhousing interferes. A starter similar the original was used on medium duty GM trucks for many years. You might find a bus or truck application that is more common over there.

[_Ogre]

the 283 won't have the boss cast into the motor for a newer type starter
parts are still available to rebuild the old starter for cheap
unless the armature is shot; brushes, bushings, bendix and a solenoid is all it takes
cut the mica and polish the armature and that's about it

[AZ59apacheguy]

I bought a new Starter for my 283 from Orielly's Auto Parts and it bolts to my Bellhousing as well. From what I remember it was not too expensive either

[_Ogre]

i'd hate to see the bill to ship a starter to holland
but i figure bogape is use to the cost and the wait

[AZ59apacheguy]

Oooops. I failed to recognize that your in Holland, sorry. There should be online stores that could ship in a reasonable time frame....???

[OrrieG]

I believe the bellhousing mount and engine mount starters require different tooth flywheels.

One way to get around the expensive shipping would be to buy one on Ebay from a seller that uses the Ebay International forwarding option. I have used it to ship stuff to Europe, Brazil and Japan. I don't know what arrangements Ebay has with the post office but I only paid for domestic shipping to a EBays US freight forwarder. Difference for the last item I mailed was $16 vs $60 thru USPO International.

[bogape]

Thanks all for advice...
I managed to get it turning well, and filed down a bush out of another starter to fit the end... problem still with it badly meshing so ordered a starter drive D2008 from US ebay.. hopefully that'll be the answer..
The great news is the V8 has now run for the first time in about 25 years and runs like a dream, so I'm very happy!

[mr48chev]

That is great.

By checking the O'Reilly's Auto parts compatibility list for starter bushings the bushings for your 58 also fit the majority of GM cars and pickups from 1954 though the late 70's. That might make hunting new bushings simpler where you are at.

Borg Warner's BWD line SB0 bushing is 0.568 id
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1925&ppt=C0330

That is for the commutator end.
There is also an SB138 commutator bushing that has a larger Outside diameter.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1925&ppt=C0330

There is also an SB102 with a 0.472 ID and 0.517 od that should fit the drive end.

They show two brushes that can fit depending on the application.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...Redirect=01922

I'm not sure if the links will work for you over there but the parts numbers should interchange no matter where one is.

The www.rockauto.com site is also a good place to find part numbers that your local American vehicle friendly parts store may be able to interchange.

This should be their starter bushing listings for your truck https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,c...%2B235cid%2BL6
This should be the listings for starter brushes with several choices to pick from depending on what your starter came with.
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,c...%2B235cid%2BL6

Hope that helps a bit.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by bogape

filed down a bush out of another starter to fit the end...

that's the spirit
well done