Autozone has a new starter for $35 after core or $13 for a rebuild kit. My starter hasn't been working every time so I'm going to replace it but I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with the rebuild kit? I'm worried the remanufactured starter may be a piece of junk like alot of the stuff autozone sells.

 

I'd replace it. The kits don't include bushings, right?

$35 is pretty cheap. I assume that doesn't include the solenoid. Get a new solenoid if it does not. If it does, that's really cheap and pretty suspect.

They usually have better stuff that you can pay more money for. Typically better warranty as well.

 

This Duralast has a lifetime warranty, same as the $100 Duralast Gold.

 

Find someplace that sells ACDelco remanufactured starters, they hold up a lot better than elcheapo ones do, that's what I did about 8 years ago when the soloniod on the factory one started acting up, but I didn't trade in the original, I got a good solonoid and fixed it now it's ready to go on if the other one ever dies, I keep waiting for it too but so far so good.

 

Trying to rebuild a starter is a cheap way to fix it but after doing the cheap rebuild, you still have an old untested starter.

When I bought my truck years ago, the starter failed 6 months later. I picked up a reman starter and it died 6 months later. I went to the junkyard and pulled one. That one is still in my truck after about 8 years now.

Even the rebuilt starters are not going to be perfect. At least if you buy a good enough one, it will have a year or a lifetime warrenty. I was just too lazy to take mine back. I think it only had a 3 month warrenty anyway.

For $35, you can't pay someone to rebuild a starter for that cheap.

 

Advance Auto sells AC delco. That's all I buy

 

I must be one of the **** ones. I'll usually assess the old one before deciding. Even if I end up with a reman, I generally disassemble it, grease the yoke pivot, pilot bushing, and rear bushing, check the undercutting on the comm, and look at all connections and brush seating. I'll usually try to free-run it from a battery for a while to seat the brushes under no-load conditions, since the curvature is never quite right even on an uncut commutator. It's always good to look at the contact (washer) in the solenoid and make sure the studs are tight as well. They're SO much fun to replace, I'd rather only do it when necessary.

 

Is it that much harder on a V8? My 89 V6 I could do the swap in under a half hour.

 

yeah with my firebird maybe 30 minutes tops

 

Got tired of changing cheap remans so I spent the coin for a GM reman - the thing looked like brand new and have not looked back since.

{EDIT} BTW this was on my truck, not my Z, principle is the same though...

 

I need a starter also mines on its way out.
I have to remove the y pipe to get it out, because
it is blocking one of the starter bolts.
Nice isnt it..

If I can remove the y pipe (bolts are rusted)
Then I will have to get 3 new gaskets and new bolts probably.

I want to put a starter in thats going to last and
is lighter than stock, maybe a mini starter any advice will be appreciated
This is my first camaro.

Dave

 

I put mini starters in all my cars especially if they have headers.