Is it possible to rebuild a NLA Prestolite starter?

[merc20076]

The Prestolite starter (OMC 0380239) of my 1966 Evinrude Lark VIII started to turn weak at the end of the season on cold starts. Also there is a lot of a black powder on the starter. Brushes carbon I assume? Battery is a 2010, deep cycle always fully charged before getting the boat on the water.

I want to fix this problem. I'm thinking to get a factory service manual for my motor, I have the LU seals to replace to and maybe a new head gasket.

Is it only the brushes and if yes is there a section in the manual how to replace them?

Or should I take the starter off and bring it in a shop where they rebuild starters?Worth it?

I like this outboard, runs very good and I would like it to keep it for another few years! Cannot afford a big newer motor. I have basic skills in mechanic.

Thank you for helping me!

 

[backyard mechanic]

Re: Is it possible to rebuild a NLA Prestolite starter?

Your answer lies in the working parts of the starter. Go to a NAPA store and have the growler tested for internal shorts. They will also check your commutator for shorts to ground. If the armature isn't shorted they usually can be rebuilt. Undercut the commutator (if needed) and clean it up with sandpaper while you turn the armature in a drill press. If the armature is toast... it is possible to get a new one.

The stator is the part the armature turns in and it can be tested with an ohm meter. Not much to go wrong there but damage is possible if the armature hit the stator windings.

Buy a new set of brushes and springs that match your existing set. Inside the end caps there are brass bushings/bearings. Replace them and be sure they are placed/pressed correctly so that the armature spins freely.

The last thing you'll need for the rebuild is a good testing to be sure it works.

I always took the starter apart completely, sanded it all down and used Por 15 to paint the inside and outside of the stator housing. I painted the end caps too but that's a job you need to be careful with (no paint in the bushings/bearing surfaces). Then the color of paint to match existing. Yes it takes a little time but it looks nice and lasts longer when you paint it to protect from run/corrosion and failure.

Good luck with your project!

 

[boobie]

Re: Is it possible to rebuild a NLA Prestolite starter?

If you take it to a Napa store or what ever make sure they have a growler capable of testing the connections between commutator and the windings in the armature itself. I was burned on this yrs ago.

 

[merc20076]

Re: Is it possible to rebuild a NLA Prestolite starter?

I think It will be more simple to bring it in a shop.

Edit: Looking at the diagram, it does not look that hard to do but some washers and one spring are NLA. What about the selenoid? It will be a expensive job if the armature and communator are shorted. But I think it's worth it.

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/B...CTRIC STARTER GROUP ELECTRIC SHIFT/parts.html

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Is it possible to rebuild a NLA Prestolite starter?

I had a couple of starters for my '58 Bigtwins rebuilt at a local alternator/starter rebuild shop, about 6 years ago. The cost was about $100 each.

There were two starters of this type used by OMC - one was the Prestolite and the other was an Autolite. Lots of small industrial engines used these starter too. Because they were so common, getting them rebuilt should still be "do-able."

You can also find new starters of this typre pretty easily. I've seen them on EBay and I believe Sierra makes one, as well.



???

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Is it possible to rebuild a NLA Prestolite starter?

I had a starter rebuilt for one of my customer's Starflight last year. It cost a couple hundred bucks, but it was like new when it was done. Any Auto-Electric shop can do it.