Wallace

Owned a shop where we wholesale repaired auto starters and generators
some years ago. Used to get a number or pilots bringing in their
starter for repair. Word of mouth got around. We would :

1. Rebuild the bendix.
2. Put new bearings in.
3. Put new brushes in.
4. Turn and under cut the commutator.
5. Check proper operation of rebuilt unit.
6. Charged them the standard auto starter rebuild rate.

Worked like new when we gave back to pilot for installation.

Check around and tell shop you need their expert to work on your A/C
unit.

Big John

On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 09:32:57 -0500, Wallace Berry
wrote:

In article ,
(Ken Sandyeggo) wrote:

Wallace Berry wrote in message
...
Automotive alternators are sometimes installed on certified airplanes.
Are automotive (or any other type) starters ever used on a certified
engine. For instance, is there a Delco automotive equivalent to the
starter on a C85?

Thanks,

Wallace

The statute of limitations expired, so yes, I have had a C-85
generator rebuilt at an auto shop several times, made a nifty landing
light flasher for about 8 bucks with parts from Pep Boys and know of
others that have used auto parts. Now someone is going to come along
and say that if you do and something happens and they find
non-approved parts on your plane, you could get in trouble. I always
had more important things to worry about. I'm sure that you could
find an automotive starter to fit at NAPA. Or let the government
inspect the one you want and pay 4.329 to 8.784 times more. Chances
are that if you crash-land off airport, an FAA type will show up and
merely check your pilot's certificate, medical and airworthiness
certificate......in fact I'm absolutely sure of it...at least in one
instance. I doubt that anyone would even think of checking to see if
your starter was "approved." All you have to say in the rare event
they did was: "That's the one that was on there when I bought the
plane." Make sure you don't log an unapproved part.

KJSDCAUSA

Thanks for the reply. I can probably find the correct certified starter
for my C-85 used. However, I may very well look into trying to match up
an auto starter. My C-85 is actually not a "certified" engine anymore as
it has high compression pistons and a high performance cam. It is on my
Stits SA6b which is obviously a plans built aircraft. For now I'm using
the "Hemingway" starter.