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Does anyone know where to buy a 12 volt starter for a M38A1?
Is the hi-torque the way to go? I've had the original one rebuilt a couple times, but it doesn't seem to hold up. Thanks!

You should be a bit more specific on the problem with the starter. Either it does hold up or it does not hold up but "seems to not hold up" is very iffy.

If it is truly failing then in what way does it fail. Electrical like brush wear or amrature solder throwing or mechanically like starter drive failures or bearing failures.

Are you using the correct starter drive that matches the tooth count on your flywheel?

And is he grinding away on that thing in sub zero temperatures
regularly?

I have had it rebuilt twice now in 3 years; once locally and once by Snap Rebuilders in Salt Lake. Both times the problems began with intermittant failure to engage the gear with the flywheel. The starter motor would just spin. ( I don't know what the proper terms are here). Then eventually it would not engage at all....just spin.
I don't ever grind away at it....it starts pretty easy. Today it was 2 degrees above and I when I went to start it, it initially turned over then started spinning. I tapped on the solenoid (not the starter) to free up the spring, but no help.
I have not checked the number of teeth in starter or flywheel.
Thanks for your replies.

Sounds like the Bendix.

Are you getting any feedback from the folks that rebuild it?

Calling them Monday morning. Could be that the solenoid is not kicking out the bendix gear drive, correct?

You need to find out what items were replaced at the rebuild of that starter. What you describe is strictly a Bendix Drive issue. If the rebuilder lubed the drive with oil heavier than 5 or 10 weight that could be the problem. If the rebuilder is rebuilding the electrical portion of the strater and re-using the original Bendix Drive that could be the problem. For the drive to function correctly the armature shaft must be clean and lightly oiled and the screw grooves on the Bendix Drive when it is extended should be clean and lightly oiled.

Thanks for your help!

Found the problem....the gear on the bendix drive shattered, and the flywheel teeth are pretty chewed up. Got a new project!
I looked online at Midwest and Kaiser Willys for new ring gear and bendix drive, no luck. I'll call Midwest Monday morning.

Chicken or egg, no way to know for sure.

But the only thing you've changed/rebuilt so far has been the starter.

Wondering if the flywheel was chewed up to begin with and caused both
starter failures.

John at Midwest sold me a NOS 29 tooth ring gear a while back. I would think he still has them. He may have a starter drive but since that starter is a civilian Prestolite MDU-7004 just pick up a starter drive for a 57 to 71 CJ5 with a F134 from the autoparts store.



Here's one at Midwest Willys: http://midwestjeepwillys.com/931463.html

Thanks Wes!