Starter motor # ?

[Tom H.]

When I bought my corvettes, I received some spare parts that the previous owner had acquired. Among them was a starter motor, # 1108500, with a code 21 17 3 on it. I have looked in all my parts no. books, and can find no reference to it. It was on a 427 69 coupe. Does anyone know what this is for? Thanks, Tom

[Joe L.]

Re: Starter motor # ?

Tom-----

I can't find any application for GM #1108500, either. I can tell you the following about it, though:

1) It was originally used for a 1973 application;

2) The original application was NOT for ANY GM car line

It is possible that it was used for a truck-only starter application, an industrial or marine starter application, or a non-GM automotive application. Delco-Remy starters were used for MANY non-GM applications, including aircraft.

Also, keep in mind that very likley all that remains of the original starter is the frame (i.e. the cylindrical component with the numbers stamped on it). When starters go through a commercial rebuilding operation, as this one undoubtedly has, they are stripped down to component parts. These component parts are then placed in "bins" and are then used to build up a rebuilt starter in much the same way that new starters are built in the first place. The difference is that most of the parts are used and the frames already have a number stamped on them (for a new starter, the number is stamped on the frame AFTER the starter is built up from the certain parts which constitute that particular part number). On a rebuilt starter from a commercial rebuilding operation the original numbers stamped on the frame are absolutely meaningless. They are a "vestige of what once was". Rebuilders usually place a label on the starter with a number of their own on it. That number is what thereafter identifies the starter, assuming that the label does not become disattached.

In the fairly recent past, many rebuilders have initiated a practice of grinding off or otherwise obliterating the original identifying "numbers" on rebuilt components like starters and generators. It's very understandable as these numbers have no real meaning after rebuild and can be "confusing" as far as the vast majority of customers are concerned. However, in the process, a great many valuable old starter and alternator "numbers" may be lost.

[Tom H.]

Re: Starter motor # ?

Thanks Joe. I didn't know that these were used in other applications. Interesting. Tom