1985 4Runner

For those that don't know, I have a Chevy 350 in my 4runner out of a '76 Vette.

The last few days it was hard to start & I had to jump start it a few times. Checked the battery & it was good. Now it just clicks when I try to start it, wont turn over at all.

This is just clicking when I try to turn it over:




I start checking connections & find this:







I don't pretend to be some master mechanic, so flame if you want to, but what the hell is that part?
Can I change out the solenoid or should I replace the starter?

Anybody with the V-8 swaps/experience out there had this problem?

bob200587

is it an external solenoid? If it's simple, take the starer off and look at it. One of mine locked up on me, and another some teeth were chipped, and thats why it wouldn't work.

ironroad9c1

dude that starter is junk ,with that hole in the case water and dirt are all up in the case and bearings , get a new one ,its just a high torque gear reduction stater
get one from summit for 139.95 or you could try and fin d a place mear you that rebuilds starters and alternators , but last i had one done was close to 100 bucks so prolly better off getting a new one.

ironroad9c1

also find a bellhouseing cover .

4runnermt

That part is a starter relay. It can be the problem. Theyre like 30 bucks.

4runnermt

I was just looking at your pics again, and all of your wire connections are crusty and rusted. I would clean these off too and maybe put some dialectric grease on them. It would be a good idea if you don't have one to get a bellhousing cover to keep all the crud out.

1985 4Runner

thanks, I got the same advice about the bellhousing cover on another board.

ironroad9c1

you can remove the starter and see if you can take it apart and clean out inside ,but that hole in it isn't helping things.

1985 4Runner

Update, pulled the starter off yesterday & went to a local shop that was highly reccommended. The owner took it apart & the bearings were bad (among other things). It can't be rebuilt, so he is going to pull the tooth gears out of the old (11)then install them in the new starter(9), remount the adapter plate & then I should bolt it back on.

1985 4Runner

Done, problem solved.





Bolted back on & fired right up.