I recently bough a 1931 Durant, At first the starter turned over (very begrudgingly) and the car started. Now it does nothing - no clicking - no noise. I removed the starter to test it by grounding it and putting 6 volt power to the hot wire - Result - nothing. Is this a valid test and if so, is there someone you can recommend to me for a rebuild. If I tested it incorrectly, where do I go from here. Help will be greatly appreciated as the car is in good condition and my wife likes the 'Bonnie and Clyde' look.

Where Are You From? Lansing, Michigan

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1931 Deurant Four Door Sedan

We recently acquired a starter that had been unused for many years, although it had been removed from its car and stored separately. When I first tried it on the workbench with direct connections to a battery,(like you described) it would not turn. The solution was to remove the rotor from the frame and clean up the bearings on each end to ensure that the rotor would turn freely when spun by hand. Then I removed each brush and cleaned the end of each one ....the end that contacts the commutator. You should also clean any black carbon residue off of the commutator contacts too. When I re-assembled the motor , it then ran like new !
If you have a multi-meter, you should check the continuity of the windings to ensure that the electrical current passes thru them. Your brushes may need to be changed if they are worn so far that they don't contact the commutator . I hope you are as lucky as we have been with our 80-year old starter.

Where Are You From? Cumberland Museum, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1929 D-40 sedan

Jim, I agree with Dave. Clean and oil it, if the winding is good it will spin when current is applied. I have had several rebuilt by someone here who loves putting them back into service and I have never had a starter that didn't work with a little TLC and lite oil.

Rick

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1929 Model 60 Roadster

What model is your 31?
It's probabaly real close to where it was born.

Where Are You From? Iowa

Do You own a car built by Durant? '31 model 619

Thanks. I'll give that atry and let you know.

Jim

Where Are You From? Lansing, Michigan

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1931 Deurant Four Door Sedan

Thanks, Rick. I'll let you kn ow how it works out.

Jim

Where Are You From? Lansing, Michigan

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1931 Deurant Four Door Sedan