Starter question -- can I change these screws?

[Paul S.]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a rebuilt 1108338 Delco Remy starter for my '69 manual small block convertible. The solenoid is incorrect, but that is easy enough to change.

The other thing that is incorrect is that the field coil screws on the body of the starter are single slotted screws. The judging guide calls for cross-recess screws instead. Here are some photos to illustrate what I mean:

Incorrect.jpg

Correct.jpg

My question is, can these screws be changed without taking the starter apart? I am hoping I can simply remove/replace each of them one at a time, but I don't want to mess anything up inside the starter.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks,
Paul

[Gene M.]

Re: Starter question -- can I change these screws?

Paul
Those screws secure the field windings to the case. Remove the case since you will need to secure the field coils in position to reinstall the flat head screws. They thread into 5/16 (I think) taped holes.

I was under the assumption the phillips screws started in the 70's.

[Joe L.]

Re: Starter question -- can I change these screws?

Hi all,

I recently purchased a rebuilt 1108338 Delco Remy starter for my '69 manual small block convertible. The solenoid is incorrect, but that is easy enough to change.

The other thing that is incorrect is that the field coil screws on the body of the starter are single slotted screws. The judging guide calls for cross-recess screws instead. Here are some photos to illustrate what I mean:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66962[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66963[/ATTACH]

My question is, can these screws be changed without taking the starter apart? I am hoping I can simply remove/replace each of them one at a time, but I don't want to mess anything up inside the starter.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks,
Paul

Paul------


If you're careful and change them one at a time, I think you'll be able to change these screws without disassembling the starter. I would remove them one at a time, position the starter so that each screw is facing straight up, be careful not to move the starter between removing the old screw and installing the new one. In any event, even if it doesn't work for you, you won't hurt anything inside the starter. You'll just have to disassemble it to change the screws. This is not difficult but I really don't think it will come to that.

The screws were GM #1968396 but they're discontinued. Lots of them around in donor starters, though.

[Joe L.]

Re: Starter question -- can I change these screws?

Paul
Those screws secure the field windings to the case. Remove the case since you will need to secure the field coils in position to reinstall the flat head screws. They thread into 5/16 (I think) taped holes.

I was under the assumption the phillips screws started in the 70's.

Gene-----


The screws are 3/8-24 size.

The phillips head screws began with starters with 1108xxx part numbers. So, generally, they began for the 1968 model year.

[Gene M.]

Re: Starter question -- can I change these screws?

Gene-----


The screws are 3/8-24 size.

The phillips head screws began with starters with 1108xxx part numbers. So, generally, they began for the 1968 model year.

Thanks Joe,
It been a while and screw size was a guess. The 3/8 fine thread flat head screws should be available from hardware jobbers. It's not real common but available. Paul just needs to be sure to not use screws longer than the originals he removes.

[Richard M.]

Re: Starter question -- can I change these screws?

Just a word of caution....I would not attempt this without taking the starter apart. Those screws have been comfortable where they are for 45 years and they may not want to be disturbed without great forces. It's quite easy to take the starter apart. The Service Manuals are a great help if you've never done one before.

You will probably need a impact gun and a very large Phillips bit to remove those screws. In doing so without it apart, the field blocks could move and could cause possible damage and break the delicate internal wiring. If it is apart you can hold the field block in place and reduce risk.

These came apart on a generator easily but the field blocks are heavy and needed support when removing them. The wiring is delicate.
P9030009.jpgP9030010.jpgP9040016.jpgP9040018.jpg


Just the other day I cleaned up another, a 1959 1102043 generator. I tried to remove the large slotted screws when the unit was apart so I could media blast the case for repaint. The screws would not budge with my impact gun and a properly sized bit. I have done this on other units many times. Someone in the past tried and had damaged the slot on one screw using a hammer and drift. That was my clue. The shaft key way previously damaged also. After multiple attempts on both screws with my impact gun, I confess I gave up and simply sanded and cleaned the case, inside and out, masked the tag and areas inside before paint, and it came out fine.

PC130001.jpgPC130012.jpgPC130013.jpgPC130015.jpgPC140037.jpgPC140038.jpgPC140066.jpgPC140067.jpgPC140070.jpgPC150007.jpgPC150012.jpgPC150013.jpg
More details Here.

Rich

[Paul S.]

Re: Starter question -- can I change these screws?

Thanks for all the replies, guys -- this is very helpful! I really appreciate it.

- Paul

[Wayne M.]

Re: Starter question -- can I change these screws?

The screws were GM #1968396 but they're discontinued. Lots of them around in donor starters, though.

Boy, these must be really old; 2 previous updates prior to part # 1969396 .

[Joe L.]

Re: Starter question -- can I change these screws?

Boy, these must be really old; 2 previous updates prior to part # 1969396 .

Wayne------

The GM #1913960 was discontinued in May, 1969 and replaced by the GM #1970469. The latter was discontinued without supercession in the late 70's. Someone must have INFERRED that the 1969396 would replace the 1970469. And, they were right!

[Joe L.]

Re: Starter question -- can I change these screws?

Just a word of caution....I would not attempt this without taking the starter apart. Those screws have been comfortable where they are for 45 years and they may not want to be disturbed without great forces. It's quite easy to take the starter apart. The Service Manuals are a great help if you've never done one before.

You will probably need a impact gun and a very large Phillips bit to remove those screws. In doing so without it apart, the field blocks could move and could cause possible damage and break the delicate internal wiring. If it is apart you can hold the field block in place and reduce risk.

These came apart on a generator easily but the field blocks are heavy and needed support when removing them. The wiring is delicate.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]66976[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66977[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66978[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66979[/ATTACH]


Just the other day I cleaned up another, a 1959 1102043 generator. I tried to remove the large slotted screws when the unit was apart so I could media blast the case for repaint. The screws would not budge with my impact gun and a properly sized bit. I have done this on other units many times. Someone in the past tried and had damaged the slot on one screw using a hammer and drift. That was my clue. The shaft key way previously damaged also. After multiple attempts on both screws with my impact gun, I confess I gave up and simply sanded and cleaned the case, inside and out, masked the tag and areas inside before paint, and it came out fine.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66964[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66965[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66966[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66967[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66968[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66969[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66970[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66971[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66972[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66973[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66974[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66975[/ATTACH]
More details Here.

Rich

Rich------


I agree that the field shoe screws are VERY difficult to remove. I should have mentioned that.

[Gene M.]

Re: Starter question -- can I change these screws?

Rich------


I agree that the field shoe screws are VERY difficult to remove. I should have mentioned that.

A hand held impact that you hit with a hammer should do the trick. Comes with a bit that fits the large screw heads both phillips and straight. Available at Sears I think.