[Wellcraft19]

Late Saturday afternoon.
Starter is out. Was not too bad, but I have nimble (small hands) that worked fairly well, even on the driver side bolt on the starter. I will post some photos and other observations when work is completed.

A few observations along the way (LC100, '99):
Really dirty and oily in the intake channels above the valves in the head. Normal? Car has about 80K+ miles and no oil consumption. Intake plenum and runners fairly clean an inch or so up into the plenum, so I'd say it is just residue from leakage past the valves during a normal combustion cycle (!?).

Starter was much smaller than anticipated. Worked on other cars with smaller engines (and boat engines) but starter has at least been 150%-200% larger.
Article number on starter:
28100-50070
22800-7392
Manufacturing period: 08T26

Anyone know if this is the "small" or large" starter?

Starter contacts were dusty and pitted. Can see that they are worn down. So is the contact surface on the plunger, but to a lesser extent. Did polish that area with a dremel, and can see it is pitted, but will likely work for another 80K miles or so. Anyone replaced the plunger as well?

The outgoing axel (the one with toothed weel) from the starter has some radial "play". I could see this as perfectly normal, but what have you guys seen? Is the outgoing axel perfectly "firm" or have you observed some "play"?

Anyone replaced the brushes on the starter as well? I will take apart and inspect them when I'm at it. Any (known) precautions for this starter?

I am considering replacing the starter, but will see what prices I can get. For $300+, I'll just do the contacts this time.

Initial obeservation was that the way this V8 engine is designed, it looks like water could form a nice "pool" in between the two cylinder banks. Water, about an inch or so deep, once there has nowhere to go, but to evaporate when the engine gets hot. At least that's what mine loooked like (I have water marks from a "pool"). Turns out some previous owner has pressure washed the engine bay and the insulation sprayed away has ended up and blocked the drainage holes under the starter.

Starter also had two small "snorkels". One is a bit loose and does not seal at its base, the other one "perfect".

Feel free to provide comments, suggestions, etc, to the above. All ears are open before it gets put back together again.

/// Per-Ola