[grandamle91]

Today i got sick of my starter in my 97 astro, wasn't engage all the time, and everyone says that a 89 though 95 wont work. well guess what i had a couple starters from 90 93 and 95 and they all worked in my 97. actually worked better then the small one that was in there, turns faster, starts quickers, just all a round better, Oh ya one other thing there a whole lot cheaper. Just thought i would say this maybe it could save some people money.

 

[ihatemybike]

Doesn't surprise me that it would bolt up and work. www.RockAuto.com shows many starters with smaller range spans, www.Car-Part.com shows that any starter 1993-2000 would work. The starter/flexplate interface is not somewhere that I'd think would show much innovation over the years.

 

[grandamle91]

Doesn't surprise me that it would bolt up and work. http://www.RockAuto.com shows many starters with smaller range spans, http://www.Car-Part.com shows that any starter 1993-2000 would work. The starter/flexplate interface is not somewhere that I'd think would show much innovation over the years.

I looked up the flex\flywheel and they used the same one the whole life of the astros, safaris. its just nice to know i can throw a 90 starter on there and pay $30 for a new one instead of $130

 

[GaryZ]

Today i got sick of my starter in my 97 astro, wasn't engage all the time, and everyone says that a 89 though 95 wont work. well guess what i had a couple starters from 90 93 and 95 and they all worked in my 97. actually worked better then the small one that was in there, turns faster, starts quickers, just all a round better, Oh ya one other thing there a whole lot cheaper. Just thought i would say this maybe it could save some people money.

Excellent! My faith in mother GM is restored . . .

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

That is really cool! I remember putting a starter in my '90 Safari and thought wow this is a nicely priced starter at $35. :rockon:

 

[grandamle91]

That is really cool! I remember putting a starter in my '90 Safari and thought wow this is a nicely priced starter at $35. :rockon:

ya i will gladly pay 35 from now on, 137 for that little weak one :banghead:

 

[workinVan]

hello all my first post here.
so the starters are all interchangeable from 93 to 00 huh?
i have an 00 and bought a starter today from napa, my first mistake i didn't check here first.
i went back and asked to see a starter from a 93 i looked up the part number and the only difference was the gear was smaller on the older design and the bell cover around the gear had less room as well, so is it still possible to switch to the older one with the starter gear size being different?
cuz if so i have to fight with them to take the other one back without having ever installed it or used it on top of never shopping there again.

 

[grandamle91]

hello all my first post here.
so the starters are all interchangeable from 93 to 00 huh?
i have an 00 and bought a starter today from napa, my first mistake i didn't check here first.
i went back and asked to see a starter from a 93 i looked up the part number and the only difference was the gear was smaller on the older design and the bell cover around the gear had less room as well, so is it still possible to switch to the older one with the starter gear size being different?
cuz if so i have to fight with them to take the other one back without having ever installed it or used it on top of never shopping there again.

Yes they used the same flywheel\flexplate in all the astros

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

Tell them you took it to a shop and they fixed it with their parts. Then go somewhere else and buy the cheaper starter. I still can't believe the older year starters are so much cheaper and you can use them on the newer rigs too! :clap:

 

[Big_kid]

Nice timing reviving this thread- My starter has started freewheeling more and more lately too. I just checked on advance auto's site, early and late have different part numbers. Not saying they won't interchange though! Kinda like using a 6 volt VW starter in a 12 volt system. I hear they'll just about turn the whole car over.

 

[GaryZ]

Nice timing reviving this thread- My starter has started freewheeling more and more lately too. I just checked on advance auto's site, early and late have different part numbers. Not saying they won't interchange though! Kinda like using a 6 volt VW starter in a 12 volt system. I hear they'll just about turn the whole car over.

The notorious "zing" is caused by a worn out drive inside the snout. The drive assembly is the gear, worn gear and spring that mounts on the business end of your starter. The gear is no longer engaging the flex plate properly due to wear on the worm gear and/or a weak spring. The actual gear that mates with the flex plate usually looks fine. I always repair my starters when possible. Although the name-brand auto parts stores do not seem to carry the GM starter drive kit, you should be able to buy one for less than $20 from a starter repair shop and maybe Napa. It is a simple fix and I usually replace the brushes while I have the starter apart.

BTW: I helped a friend repair his Harley starter by installing a drive kit. Works like new!

 

[rev_les]

If I had read this a few weeks ago, my wife's '95 would have a new starter... I ended up putting a starter off a 305 truck motor I have on an engine stand on it, I didn't want to spend 130 bux on one,and the truck motor starter doesn't look as frail, lol. I set them side by side at first and was like..uh oh,but it bolted up and works fine.

 

[grandamle91]

Nice timing reviving this thread- My starter has started freewheeling more and more lately too. I just checked on advance auto's site, early and late have different part numbers. Not saying they won't interchange though! Kinda like using a 6 volt VW starter in a 12 volt system. I hear they'll just about turn the whole car over.

Yea they are different numbers because the newer ones the starter motor is alot smaller, and the older ones the motor are alot bigger, the bolts are the same gears are the same, nothin is different besides the motor

 

[Big_kid]

Thanks, that's what I thought. Kinda like the countless 250 to 350 conversions I did in the 80's & 90's. Same flywheel(?), starter, and bore the mount holes a little bit & use the same fuel pump IIRC.

 

[grandamle91]

Yea i'm just glad i don't have to spend 140 on a starter anymore, and these older starters seem to have more cranking power

 

[Jasen]

I once pulled the guts out of 78 Caprice starter with a 454 and put them in a Buick case to get my 74 Riv with a 455 to get it back on the road.

Do THAT with a F*rd :snooty:

 

[grandamle91]

I once pulled the guts out of 78 Caprice starter with a 454 and put them in a Buick case to get my 74 Riv with a 455 to get it back on the road.

Do THAT with a F*rd :snooty:

:rofl: :goodpost:

 

[GaryZ]

I once pulled the guts out of 78 Caprice starter with a 454 and put them in a Buick case to get my 74 Riv with a 455 to get it back on the road.

Do THAT with a F*rd :snooty:

:rofl: :goodpost:

In 1985 I dropped a small-block Chevy into a '74 Datsun 240Z. Everything turned out pretty good except the starter would get heat soaked and turn real slow in the summer. I checked on custom built high-torque starters ($$$) and finally bought a big block starter from a junk yard. I swapped the snout, installed new brushes, and the thing worked like a champ!

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

Good info on starters! I wonder if anyone know if the case is the same for ALTERNATORS?????? :think:

I grab'd a alternator from my buddy who was parting out a '88 Suburban and it looks to be the same alternator thats in both my Vans. I don't need as of now, but thought it might come in handy. Looks like the same size case, mounting, and electrical plug. :dance:

 

[grandamle91]

Good info on starters! I wonder if anyone know if the case is the same for ALTERNATORS?????? :think:

I grab'd a alternator from my buddy who was parting out a '88 Suburban and it looks to be the same alternator thats in both my Vans. I don't need as of now, but thought it might come in handy. Looks like the same size case, mounting, and electrical plug. :dance:

i know you can't take a 96 and put in a 90