In and around $200 USD will get you a nice quality starter here it's unfortunate the price inflation overseas. I've had luck with remanufactured starters if you're able to find any in your area and want to give that a try as they're usually half the price of a new unit. In the mean time you may be able to fab up a heat shield for your current starter and see if that helps you out any as I've read people have had some success with them as well as using header wrap.

Best of luck and hope it’s as easy as changing out that relay.

 

I'll probably order it from the US, a refurb one here is about the same price as a new one from overseas with shipping and taxes. Then I'll try and refurb my own old one so I have a backup.
Good tip about the heatshield, I'll see I can make one over the weekend and put it in.

Thanks a bunch for helping out, I much appreciate it!

I'll update the thread if any new developments.

 

Tried about everything today. did all the tests from dukie's write up but all i get is half a turn of the engine. did start this morning tho , but am waiting for aaa at gas station now.

 

So, the aaa guy had a booster battery and with that and a whack with a hammer the starter came to life. puzzled tho, tried it w extra battery and a whack before to no avail; could it be i need a more powerful battery like a booster (no cca scanner) or do i bite the bullet and get a new starter?

 

Unfortunately going to need a starter. If you put a new battery in it will only help for a short while but will only be a band aid for your starter. You may be able to get lucky and grab one from a salvage yard if you have any around you. Otherwise your only two options are attempt to rebuild yours or buy a new one.

 

I took the starter apart yesterday to check it out; it was completely full of a black sooty and oily gunk – not only on the carbon brushes but also on the whole coil assembly and some small oily gravel and other bits close to the bendix.

Took a trip to the starter repair guy and he is changing and cleaning the parts needed. Hopefully the solenoid checks out ok since he wanted an extra 50 bucks to fix just that.

Hopefully it will start right up tomorrow so I can drive off to fix the oil leak from the OFA.

Another surprising thing was that the starter mounting bolts were only on about finger tight, yet again the POS seems to have forgot to tighten down some bolts (manifold bolts were also on finger tight) or maybe they worked themselves out.

A pic:

 

oil conducts electricity. This might be creating a short bringing about the condition you've been describing. I'd venture on down to the local car wash and wash this area off as best as I could.

BTW Fix the oil leak regardless.

I'm betting this will clear up your problem.

Good luck.

 

Hi,

I thought oil was a pretty bad conductor of electricity? Either way I cleaned the area with brake cleaner and some fine sanding paper – put the new starter on and it fired up like a rabbit on speed. Will tackle the oil leak asap, just have to weld a tool after breaking 2 ring wrenches on the damn t60.

 

Good to hear you got that new stater on and fixed your problem. Breaking tools is the worst.

 

A big relief when it fired right up. Thanks a lot for all your help!!

 

Love a story with a happy ending! LOL