starter bushing

[mr41cadillac]

trying to replace bushing in starter 41 60 special. question is do you replace the drive bushing only ? is this  the only bushing ? I see auto zone list one bushing the drive bushing 4200 b.thanks john 

[Bill Ingler #7799]

John: Here is a diagram from the parts book showing the starter. It shows bushing K and I believe the end frame has a bushing in the end frame. I like you like try to do most of the work myself but when it comes to parts on the car that are best done by someone who specializes in that area, I have found you are money ahead allowing the part to be rebuilt by the shop that does that type work.   Bill

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2055119.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XCadillac+Starter+Bushings.TRS0&_nkw=Cadillac+Starter+Bushings&_sacat=0

[mr41cadillac]

thanks for the picture. trying to find a shop in savannah without success so far. thanks bill john

[Bill Ingler #7799]

John:  Here is the other bushing in the end plate. If you are going to get the starter rebuilt then try to find this end plate with the bushing. I find them on ebay.  Bill

[Jay Friedman]

If by savannah you mean Savannah, Georgia, maybe I can help.  I don't know of any starter rebuilders in Savannah, but in the Atlanta area I can recommend a firm that rebuilds starters of that era including new bushings: BP Rebuilders, 1420 Canton Rd, Marietta, GA 30066.  Phone: (770) 427-5872 

They have done several starters (and generators) for my 49 Cadillac and a Ford I own. 

[mr41cadillac]

thanks bill jay. ive ordered the drive bushing from autozone. the starter end plate I will try ebay. the rest of the starter is fine, except the solenoid.

[Bill Ingler #7799]

Here are some 1908580 now on ebay       Bill

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2055119.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XDelco+1908580.TRS0&_nkw=Delco+1908580&_sacat=0

[Jay Friedman]

I have a used end plate in good condition with a good bushing.  If interested email me at jaysfriedman@yahoo.com

[mr41cadillac]

the ones on ebay don't look like they have an oiler like mine. jay does yours thanks john

[Jay Friedman]

John,

Mine is the same as those on ebay.  According to my parts manual, end plates are the same from 1936 to 1953 and I've never seen one with an oiler.  I suspect a previous owner installed the one on yours.  It's my understanding that when installing one of these, you spread a light film of grease in the bushing and it will stay lubricated.

Jay 

[Bill Ingler #7799]

Jay: I also can not remember seeing an oil cup on the starter but they must have been on early starters. Look on the starter diagram that I posted earlier and you can see an oil cup. Look at the lubrication chart below which is in my 1946  Shop Manual and it shows a cup on the starter and 2 on the generator. So someplace the oiler cup was dropped.  I have replaced the end plate on my 47 probably 15 years ago with what you see on ebay, and as you said a little bit of grease on the bushing and many, many starts later it is still cranking away. So John don`t worry about buying an end plate without an oiler.  Bill

[mr41cadillac]

ok i really only need the bushing but their not to expensive. the solenoid i ordered  for the starter , we think  can be modified by cutt ing wider slots on the attachment plate on the solenoid. the old solenoid has had that done to it. hopethis will solve the clicking issue. john

[Jay Friedman]

Bill,

Yes, I see that until 48 original end plates were made with an oil cup.  Unlike your 46 shop manual, my 49 manual does not show a lube point for the starter, so the change must have been made that year.  My Master Parts List is a 1955 edition, so I think that by then they must have decided it was no longer needed on 48 and earlier models either, so all replacement end frames from 36 to 53 were the same. 

[gene harl]

John,,  I worked in a starter & gen  shop in the early 50's ,, rebuilt   many starters ,, most of the time they only need the rear bushing ,, it wears and lets the arm drag on the field. on the solenoid, take off  the cap, flip over the plate, reverse studs and you have a new solenoid, (  if someone didn't beat you to it )   
   Gene..      CLC22406

[mr41cadillac]

picked up the bushing for the starter on the end that engages the flywheel. its shorter than the one i took out. will it make a difference ? thanks john

[Bill Ingler #7799]

John: GM designed that starter with a certain size armature which in turn required a certain size bushing at each end so why are you even thinking of using the wrong bushing. Use the proper parts and your car will give you many miles of enjoyment. Use the wrong part and then that wrong part breaks causing you more problems. So ask yourself is it worth the risk?   Bill   

[Bill Ingler #7799]

John: The correct bushing you need for your starter is 810620 used from 1936-48 on the Cadillac starter. See the picture below for the correct dimensions for that bushing.  Bill

[Jay Friedman]

Now that you have the dimensions from Bill, if you can't find one for sale I believe it would be a simple matter for a machine shop to make one for not too much money. 

[mr41cadillac]

thanks that helps now that i have the right number . maybe the one autozone sent is for the other end? actually i extracted the old one and it looks goos , i may just use it if i cant find one. i love the 41 60 special but wow what a puzzle to locate parts, but i love the learning. thanks all john