Broken Starter Motor ends

Posted by DavidM On 2019/2/13 4:25:14

Sometime ago, when I attempted to start my 1929 Packard 633 there was a load click from the starter motor then nothing. The end plate that holds the brushes had broken where it is attached to the body or barrel. When I removed it I found it had previously been cracked and welded and the failure this time was not at that weld. While searching for another I found a starter with an end that had also broken. I finally found a good end and was able to repair the starter. Recently a friend rang to see if I had a spare end plate for the starter motor on his 1929 633, his had also broken one of the lugs that secure it to the barrel.
We finally found another starter with what looked like a good end however when we cleaned it we found it had been cracked and welded and cracked again in another place.
That's four broken end plates ends and two of those had broken before, welded and broken again in another place. See photos attached.
Why is this happening? Some starter motors secure the ends with long bolts holding both ends to the barrel. The brush holder ends on the early Packard starters have three lugs on the end plate that are secured by counter sunk screws in from the side of the barrel. I believe this feature was common to all Packards from early 1920's until at least early 1930's so huge numbers were built with this design The ends are cast iron so these lugs could break under load but there is no significant load on these end plates, they simply hold the brushes and a bush to support the shaft. End thrust would be taken on the drive end.
Have others had the same problem? Any thoughts?
If anyone has a good sound end to fit a 1929 Packard 626/633 (and probably many other models) we are desperate as we have been unable to find another.

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