[stellar]

cut spring i use a cutting wheel frt the cut.

[66GTO Jim]

Originally Posted by Pontiac62

I searched the Delco Remy website for P/N 1978281. It said that P/N was obsolete and had been superseded by P/N 1958679. I have two springs that are in the original boxes with P/N 1958679 on them. They are both 2-3/4" tall.
So much for assuming that superseded numbers are the same as the original

I have had this on the shelf for probably 30 years as I bought it for the 66 GTO Hardtop I had and never installed it.

AC Delco Part Number 1958679. Bought it from PY back in the day. Their Part Number was RPE-672. As you can see in the picture it is 2 1/4".

So if you are buying one, make sure it is 2 1/4", or if online, ask the seller for a picture of the part next to a ruler.

By the way, it is not for sale.

Jim

[SD455DJ]

Well, I had the starter in and out of my '71 Formula 3 times yesterday (got pretty good at pulling it apart and putting it back together, haha) to try the new HD solenoid and lighter spring that Stellar sold me (Thank you!). The solenoid on the Powermaster, joke-of-a-starter, was indeed the short light duty version with a heavy return spring. I swapped the solenoids, reinstalled it and …. absolutely nothing...solenoid worked, but the starter didn't spin. Took it out and apart, put on the old solenoid and it worked on the test stand!!!??? We put the new solenoid back on and, same as before, the starter motor wouldn't spin. Looking more closely at the installed new solenoid, I saw that I most likely broke the rigid connection in the starter as I had the push the front solenoid connection prongs to the left (from the front) on the starter. It appears the Powerjoke starter solenoid has a different position of the front prong connector (proprietary design?) than the factory units. Well, live and learn...so, we ordered a HD Pontiac starter from the local auto parts store (good guys) and within an hour was delivered and swapping on Stellars new solenoid and spring, tested it out of the car (sounded so much stronger than the Powercrap!), installed it making triple sure I didn't accidentally short any of the solenoid connections against the block, heat shield, etc. (lesson learned the hard way again), twisted the key and the engine roared to life! That car never had a good starter since I owned it and that new HD starter spun the 455HO motor faster than I ever remember. I haven't driven it yet to give it the ultimate heat-soak test, but will report back when I do soon.

Now I just need to replace the 4-ga. crappy side terminal battery cables with bigger gauge ones...where do you find those??? Even 2-gauge pieces would be much better if I could find some...

Stellar's HD solenoid and spring will give me more peace of mind on my travels this summer. I'm so appreciative of this thread and for PY friends help!

Dennis

[SD455DJ]

...forgot to post some pics of the starter and solenoid...

Dennis

[SD455DJ]

...here they are...