When you’re considering a starter replacement, using your old starter on a new engine may seem like the logical step to take. Especially when you factor in the high cost of buying and installing a new one. However, while some starters are interchangeable, in most cases it’s not advisable to use your previous starter on a new engine.
Car starters often look similar, almost identical. However, there may be some small differences not easily caught by the naked eye. The mountings may not match and the gear teeth may be different. It’s always better to install a starter designed for that particular vehicle and engine.
If you’re considering removing your old starter or getting a used one from the scrap yard and using it on another vehicle, read on for what to look out for.
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Which Starters Are Interchangeable?
Most starter types can be used across a range of similar-sized car engines. However, knowing which starters are interchangeable takes some research and some technical expertise.
Many car manufacturers and car starter manufacturers provide lists of interchangeable car starters. Here are a few things you can check to ascertain whether the starter is interchangeable when you do a physical inspection:
Mounting and Fasteners
Even where two starters look similar and interchangeable, they might need different mountings and fasteners. Each starter has a mounting register which aligns the starter to the pinion-to-ring-gear mesh. The fasteners secure the starter to the engine bell housing of the transmission.
The mounting shapes may vary. The fasteners and hole sizes could be different, making you at risk of an unstable mounting.
Count Gear Teeth
Most starters have between 140 and 180 teeth. Sometimes when the difference is just a few teeth you may think you’re looking at the same type of starter.
If you replace a starter with one of different teeth count the starter may not work.
Nose Cones
Different types of nose cones have different attachment bolts. For instance, an engine with a 12
3/4-inch flywheel and 153 teeth will have two attachment bolts placed across each other. The two attachment holes will lie parallel to your car’s crankshaft.
However, if the engine uses a 14-inch flywheel with 168 teeth, the attachment bolts will lie diagonal relative to the crankshaft.
Case
Though two starters may look almost identical, often some closer inspection might reveal a difference in the case size or shape.
For instance, in Ford starters, there are many similarities between standard torque starters and high torque starters. They look nearly identical and the solenoids are of equal length.
However, the high torque starters have a copper spacer, longer screw, and different field coils. The armature is also different. All these make the high-torque starter have a slightly longer case compared to the standard torque starter.
Starter Bolts
If you’re using a block-mounted starter, its critical to ensure that you’re using the correct starter bolts. Incorrect starter bolts are the number one reason for noisy starters.
Factors to Consider When Interchanging Car Starters
When you’re considering interchanging car starters there are some key factors to keep in mind. Some only apply to manual starters, some to automatic starters, and others apply to both. The key considerations include:
Cost
Will there be a significant cost saving when you interchange a used starter rather than buy a new one? The main reason you’re asking yourself this question is because if you’re unsure the starter can be interchanged or if you make a mistake, then you will still have to go and get the new engine-specific unit.
Also, if you’re interchanging on a rental you will have to change back when returning the car or give the renter the new fobs. If the cost is worth it, go ahead and do the interchanging.
The cost difference is definitely worth it if the starter is being transferred to an exact same engine type. It gets riskier when the engine types, year of manufacture, or engine sizes are different.
Warranty
Most car starter manufacturers will only cover the warranty of the starter if it remains installed in the original car. Removing the starter from one car and installing it in another effectively voids the warranty.
Nonetheless, some repair shops and vendors can offer warranty extensions if the interchanging meets certain qualities. For instance:
The removal and reinstallation have to be done by particular qualified professionals.
The starter has to be of a particular quality or age.
The second vehicle has to have an engine not exceeding a stated age or mileage.
Starter Origin
Where is the starter coming from? Is the first car the same make and model as the second car? Are the engines the same size and of the same make? If the two cars are using the same interface, then interchanging will work and the job will be relatively easy.
However, if the interfaces are different, then you might need to install a transponder bypass to allow the starter to work. A new bypass can cost you anywhere between $50 and $200 depending on the make and model of the car.
Re-installation Harness Kit
Though it’s not absolutely necessary to use a harness kit, if you want to do a quality re-installation then you’ll want a harness kit. Without a harness kit you are likely to end up with a rat’s nest of coiled wire all around the starter.
A re-installation harness kit allows you to cut your wires to custom length for a neater job and a better fit. Keep in mind that harness kits are made to fit a particular car and engine. You can’t reuse on a different car or engine type.
Convenience
If you’re buying a new car, is it worth your time to follow up by installing your old starter? Often it is possible to make the starter part of your negotiation. You could persuade the car dealer to discount you by a couple hundred bucks or fix you up with your desired starter at no extra fee.
In many cases, if you tell the dealer you want to complete the purchase the same day, they may be more willing to help coordinate the transfer of the starter and discount the reinstallation charges.