I was just about to pull the trigger on a new starter from Mustangs Unlimited for BBCat when I decided to check Advance Auto Parts to see if they still offer one. They do, for $49.95 (P/N P3131). Imagine my surprise when I realized that’s virtually the same part number as MU (P/N PM3131-01) where the price is $144.95. Then, of course, there’s the MU P/N 3131-01 that’s a reman at $64.96, including a $20 core charge.
The Advance Auto ToughOne starter has terrible reviews, with at least 3 people saying it didn’t work when installed.
So what starters have you guys purchased and what’s your experience been? I need to replace mine because I have the problem of needing to short out the solenoid to make the starter function when the engine is warmed up.
Bill, I used an off-the-shelf NAPA stock replacement in mine, it’s done fine. Don’t know if it’s the same as for your application, though, so probably doesn’t help you much. 302/4 spd car.
I bought a starter for my daily driver Aerostar about a year ago at Advance Auto. I got it there as they are the only parts store open on Sunday around here and the old starter had died. It’s been fine, no issues.
Approximately four years ago I installed a PMGR mini-starter. There are at least a couple of different styles depending on whether the vehicle is a standard or automatic, and the flywheel tooth count. Not sure which one your 390 needs. A stock replacement for a mid-90s Ford truck with 302/5-speed fit my 351 with 164-tooth manual transmission flywheel. I wired it as shown here: http://bzerob2.wordpress.com/2012/11/04/ford-upgrade-to-a-pmgr-starter/ This is obviously not a concours-correct alternative, but I’m very pleased with it. Much lighter, doesn’t suffer from header soak like the old style starter, and has worked flawlessly so far.
Before this one I had a NAPA rebuild that lasted ~15 years, even being right next to the headers. I’d buy another if I were going to use a stock-style starter.
I am also using the Advance starters, but if I read this right, it sounds more like the solenoid than starter
If you mean jumping across big post to big post on solenoid is what you call shorting out, that a sol. problem.
I did not know about the PMGR starters and that they were different than most old type of starters. It sounds like a great option on the FE motors due to the heat/hot starts.
Steven
That’s what I originally thought, but a previous thread discussion on this showed that most thought it was starter related. I tried to find the thread, but couldn’t locate it or I’d give you the link to it.
Steven, aka 1967SCode, had or has the same issue and he had already replaced his solenoid. So at this point, I’m inclined to replace the starter as well. This is one of two last remaining issues with BBCat, and it needs to be fixed before heading to Carlisle.
OK, now I get it, you could have a bad bearing causing the starter to drag, but I would still replace the solenoid with a Motorcraft one, the ones that are repos. of the originals are junk. Good Luck