C1 Starter and Judging

[Donald H.]

This is related to a 60 restoration. My question is regarding judging and specifically the starter solenoid.

I have a correct starter (1107664) that is good, but has a new solenoid on it.

I have a restored correct solenoid (1119919), and an old correct solenoid. I assume the restored solenoid end is some kind of plastic and not bakelite, and that my original solenoid does have a bakelite end (see pictures). The TIM&JG says the original bakelite should be black and as you can see in the photo the restored solenoid end is sort of a ruddy brown.

My plan is to put the restored solenoid on the starter. My question is should I move the end from the old solenoid to the restored solenoid so I have a more correct bakelite end on the solenoid?

The old bakelite end is somewhat rough, so I assume I would take a hit on condition but get full credit for originality. Does anyone have a good technique to "recondition" the bakelite end?

Thanks,

[Jack H.]

Re: C1 Starter and Judging

Yes, your original is actually in pretty darn nice condition! You've got an excellent sample to duplicate the factory black paint on the solenoid case from and you've got two other things:

(1) The period original black Bakelite cover
(2) The factory original cover to body mounting hardware

As far as the wear in the black Bakelite goes, once you get the original cover off and the original hardware stripped out of it, clean it nicely and shoot it lightly with several coats of clear lacquer. That should restore the surface sheen pretty closely.

Now, get those oxidized/rusted fasteners off to your media blaster and on to/through a bath in your home plating system to restore the original cad/zinc. Then, you're ready to transplant the parts onto your replacement solenoid body.

OR simply swivel the hex head of the brass contact bolt you removed from the Bakelite cover that suffers wear-out due to contact by 180 degrees and re-install your restored original solenoid onto the starter AFTER you've freshened up the body paint...

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 Starter and Judging

Yes, your original is actually in pretty darn nice condition! You've got an excellent sample to duplicate the factory black paint on the solenoid case from and you've got two other things:

(1) The period original black Bakelite cover
(2) The factory original cover to body mounting hardware

As far as the wear in the black Bakelite goes, once you get the original cover off and the original hardware stripped out of it, clean it nicely and shoot it lightly with several coats of clear lacquer. That should restore the surface sheen pretty closely.

Now, get those oxidized/rusted fasteners off to your media blaster and on to/through a bath in your home plating system to restore the original cad/zinc. Then, you're ready to transplant the parts onto your replacement solenoid body.

OR simply swivel the hex head of the brass contact bolt you removed from the Bakelite cover that suffers wear-out due to contact by 180 degrees and re-install your restored original solenoid onto the starter AFTER you've freshened up the body paint...

Jack,

I actually bought the rebuilt one because I though the body finish needed to be zinc. But I got feedback from John Pirkle on another thread that black or zinc was correct. I did put the old one on the rebuilt starter today and to my suprise it worked. It has quite a bit of rust inside, but I can clean that up. So I may just clean up and paint the old one and use it.

Anyone know where to get a gasket for between the bakelite cover and the body?

Thanks,

Don