'63 Starter motor

[Richard L.]

I need to replace the starter on my '63 SWC: 300 hp with Powerglide. Plan to keep original and eventually rebuild it but for now I want to install a new or well rebuilt/reliable unit. What are my choices for an exact replacement that has the same wiring connections and the mechanical fit (flywheel/flex plate to starter gear) is correct? Do I buy from NAPA, Rock Auto, usual aftermarket catalog purveyors (ZIP, Corvette Central, Paragon)--rather not deal with local Chevrolet Dealer but, at the same time, would appreciate knowing th correct GM part number for this application.
A good color picture of the electrical connections/hook-up to the starter would also be most helpful.
Thanks for all help and advice.
Ric

[Leif A.]

Re: '63 Starter motor

Richard,
I needed to do the same thing years ago. Called NAPA and they got one for my car from their warehouse...had it in one day. Sent mine original off to be rebuilt...it's still in the box.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/RAY2464791

[Richard L.]

Re: '63 Starter motor

Leif,
Is yours also a 300hp/powerglide '63 car, so that the NAPA part number is the one I need? Saves mistakes by the counter guys at my local store.
And, thank you for the suggestion.
ric

[Leif A.]

Re: '63 Starter motor

Leif,
Is yours also a 300hp/powerglide '63 car, so that the NAPA part number is the one I need? Saves mistakes by the counter guys at my local store.
And, thank you for the suggestion.
ric

The one I posted is for your '63 application...small block with automatic. Please read the description in the link for confirmation.

[Stephen L.]

Re: '63 Starter motor

Richard, Most all the starters that are selling in the $80 range are rebuilt. Soooooooooooo, why not remove your starter, take it to a local rebuilder (most cities have rebuilders) get it rebuilt and re-install. Rebuilding takes only a couple of days, depending on backlog. You will then have the starter original to your car, and you have saved the $80 plus removal and reinstall a couple of times.

[Richard L.]

Re: '63 Starter motor

Just got back from my local NAPA store. Starter in stock!
thanks all.
happy holidays!

[Duke W.]

Re: '63 Starter motor

Richard, Most all the starters that are selling in the $80 range are rebuilt. Soooooooooooo, why not remove your starter, take it to a local rebuilder (most cities have rebuilders) get it rebuilt and re-install. Rebuilding takes only a couple of days, depending on backlog. You will then have the starter original to your car, and you have saved the $80 plus removal and reinstall a couple of times.

The trouble is that these local rebuilders of starters, alternators, water pumps, etc. are rapidly disappearing.

It's not that hard to rebuild yourself, especially if the armature bushings are okay along with passing all the electrical checks. Same with the solenoid. Often it can be repaired by simply flipping the stud 180 degrees and cleaning the contact surfaces with a wire brush or file. Under NO circumstances use sand paper to EVER clean electrical contacts.

Typical replacement parts, shift lever, overrun clutch ("Bendix" drive) are readily available and reasonably priced. As is the case with distributors and alternators, starter motors for ALL GM cars, tens of millions of them, were built from a family of parts. I think your starter motor is within what I recall is the 10MT family, and I recall there is an 8MT family used on small engines, four and maybe six cylinder.

The overhaul procedure is in your 1963 Corvette Shop Manual.

Duke

[David M.]

Re: '63 Starter motor

https://www.prorebuilders.com/

These guys know what their doing. Ask for Rick.(tell him Robs brother in law recommended him).

They will sell parts or preform a rebuild using high quality USA parts and properly refinish the inner & outer surfaces.

[Joe L.]

Re: '63 Starter motor

I need to replace the starter on my '63 SWC: 300 hp with Powerglide. Plan to keep original and eventually rebuild it but for now I want to install a new or well rebuilt/reliable unit. What are my choices for an exact replacement that has the same wiring connections and the mechanical fit (flywheel/flex plate to starter gear) is correct? Do I buy from NAPA, Rock Auto, usual aftermarket catalog purveyors (ZIP, Corvette Central, Paragon)--rather not deal with local Chevrolet Dealer but, at the same time, would appreciate knowing th correct GM part number for this application.
A good color picture of the electrical connections/hook-up to the starter would also be most helpful.
Thanks for all help and advice.
Ric

Ric------


The last NEW, OEM quality starter for your application was GM #1108361. It was discontinued without supercession in 1980.

Thereafter, GM offered re-manufactured starters as OEM quality replacements. The last of these was GM #12304044 but it's now discontinued without supercession.

ACDelco does currently offer re-manufactured starters for your application. These are aftermarket quality and sell for about the same price as other aftermarket, re-manufactured starters. The current such starter for your application is ACDelco 336-1847.

Many aftermarket starter catalogs show a difference for starters for manual and automatic trans applications for 1963-68 Corvette small blocks. However, they are incorrect. All 1963-68 Corvette small block starters were the same for manual or automatic transmission applications. All such starters are block-mounted with an aluminum nose.

By the way, there are also NEW starter motors available in the aftermarket. However, all of the ones I am aware of are of foreign manufacture. That does not male them bad, though. One might be surprised at how good they are.