So how exactly can these things be indentified? I see a whole bunch of mini starters on eBay, but most only give a Nippondenso part number reference, and don't say if they're actual ND or not.

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me

Wouldn't an original one have a chrylser # on it?

If you go to the dealer (anyone actually price one at the dealer? It may not be that much more there since they are so common....) or buy one used from a junkyard you are guaranteed a nippondenso one I would imagine. I would rather buy a known used NP one thats a couple years old then risk getting a "new" knockoff on ebay.

Edit: quick browse of ebay starters shows that most of them are "original manufacturer rebuilt" units. Search for new, and avoid the ones that say "guaranteed to work equal to or better then the original" because that is a giveaway they are fakes.

Most of the ones on eBay are the Chinese knockoffs.

These starters very, very, very rarely break. The only thing that goes wrong with them (after long service) is the solenoid contacts burn out, and those can easily and inexpensively be replaced. If you can't find one in a wrecking yard just by looking, make use of www.car-part.com to help you search. Put in 1996 Dodge Ram pickup with 5.2 litre V8, and the results will show only starters that will work for you.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

In the NW the junkyards are pulling them because of the high demand for this starter from the hot rod crowd... I had to have a local yard have a sister yard in another town pull one and bring it down to obtain a ministarter a few months back due to unavailabilty in town.... but for $48 it was well worth the money and a few minutes to clean it up (sure beats $120).


The trend is similar to the HEI distributor in the chebby field, they were a dime a dozen 10 years ago, then the price went through the roof as people went to convert their cars...


-D.Idiot

Dan is right. They are very reliable units. I did have the contacts go out in mine (click click catch). A visit to the local parts store got me a soloniod kit for around $14. It literaly took a half hour to change, including R&R of the starter and replacing the contacts. When I got mine, I took it apart and cleaned it up, including painting the center part black with engine paint. Looks great!