Hey guys, I have a 1969 Buick Special with a 350 engine and 350 auto trans. My starter was okay, but started getting loud and just yesterday wouldn't engage. I tried it only a couple of times knowing that anymore would do more damage and come to find out it did break a tooth off the flywheel just from a few attempts. This sucks. A $100 repair just turned into $500. I know with flywheels and starters they have to be the perfect match with spacing and a lot of other crucial details which I am learning about for the first time right now. Can you guys help me find a good combination for a good price? I don't need anything spectacular or racy, I just need the bare bone stock stuff. I have seen starters from $50-200 and fly wheels from $30-200. I would love to get the cheapest ones with keeping quality in mind, but I am okay with stock bare bone. I need this ASAP. Thank you.
Where are you located? I have had no issues with the stock replacement starters over the years. I have a local guy who rebuilds my originals so I have a few spares on hand. The stock flexplates often crack but TA sells a good stock replacement. You don't need anything fancy just find another used one or. Uh a new TA one. Just be sure to get an externally balanced version.
I am located in central coast California. I most likely will buy new just to be sure. Do you by chance have a link of the brand and exact match that will work together for my 350 Buick? I just really don't want to get the wrong one and I am still unsure of what I am looking for exactly. I talked to my mechanic and he will be looking as well. He knows what he's looking for, but I just don't want to get a price quote for $300 when it really only needs to be about $110 or so. So I can either bring the equipment to him or he will get it. That is why I need this info ASAP.
http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_2031 and for the starter you should be able to find one at your local parts store.
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...0cid+v8,1022937,electrical,starter+motor,4152 http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-67-68-...ash=item259184f69c:g:m6cAAOSwwNVTs~3U&vxp=mtr
Thank you guys for helping me. This gives me a good ball park figure of what I will be spending. Why am I seeing one for $20 and the next for $80? Is there really that much of a difference?
With something like the stock starter, I would go with the cheapest one. I doubt there will be any difference.
okay, so since i need this right away, no one in my town has a flywheel for my Buick. My mechanic who has been pretty good so far, finally tracked one down, but he's going to charge me $100. I know he's putting a little markup on it, but is this way over priced and would it be better to just find one on my own for $60 plus $20 shipping and have the car list for a week? When I say it that way, it sounds pretty ridiculous to not just go with the one he has that he can do today lol. Stop me if Im wrong here.
It's your car and your decision. There is no right or wrong. I would never judge anyone like that. If you want to pay more so you can wait less, or pay less and wait more, again, your decision.
