I have a 1978 Gillig 36' bus powered by a Ford 477 Gas Engine running on 100% propane. I need to locate a starter. The original unit used by Ford was built by Prestolite. Does anyone know what the part number is? Does anyone know where these starters might be found? Thanks - Gillig5

 

Gillig5, I found the starter specifications, wiring, and the like in a Ford factory shop manual. However, it is showing the Prestolite unit to be used on 3208 Cats!! NO, I am NOT trying to dispute you at all. Rather, the info I have lists it only for Cat engine applications. The manual is showing it as a 24-volt starter as well. I am sorry this is not much help to you, but it is the only listing I find for it. I will do some more checking for you, though.
In some of the other materials I have, I found a Prestolite listed for 12-volt SD applications. It gives a fairly detailed listing of specifications, but, sadly, no casting number nor replacement part or service number.
However, can you see either a Ford or Prestolite casting number on the starter motor?
If you can, if you wish to do so, post it here and I will check it out and try to cross it over to either Ford, Prestolite, Motorcraft, or Wilson part numbers.

I hope that will be of some help to you!

 

Hello Lone Ranger:

Thanks for the reply. I looked at my starter and found the casting number PS344. With some careful looking I also found a number stamped on the side "ML4358" which may be the part number I am looking for? Thanks for your help - Gillig5

 

I believe you have found a good start there, Gillg 5. I will do some checking on those numbers and let you know what--if anything--I can find out. I will post what I find just as soon as I possibly can!

 

With the sources I have here, I was unable to find a match to either number, Gillig 5; I am sorry about that. However, I have a pretty good set of references I can check tomorrow. Have you time for me to do that for you and post a message for you tomorrow evening?

 

Hello Loan Ranger: There is no hurry in finding the starter - I have my spare installed - but am uneasy because it was rebuilt by the same shop as the one that failed and they did a terrible job! Thanks for your help. Best regards - Gillig5

 

Gillig 5, I found the numbers to match your Prestolite starter on your 1978 477 Super Duty. ML4358 is still Prestolite's number for that particular starter; Ford's number is D8QF-11002-A for a new unit and D8QF-11002-AX for a rebuilt unit; NAPA Rayloc has it as part number 44-4302. The price I got from NAPA was $254.80 w/exchange; a fellow from the closest Ford dealership was supposed to call me with the price but he did not--at least today. I hope this is of some help to you.

 

I'm sorry to hear the shop did a bad job. I usually tell people to get starters and alternators rebuilt by a reputable local shop. But anyway, there more reputable places available that you can ship to. One is Lehr Auto Electric in Sacramento, Ca and the other is a large rebuild shop in Mo. I think.

On a side note I have had a real hard time finding parts for even a fairly modern 3208, and an older 8.2 Detroit in Ford applications by by gosh I was able to go down to the Ford dealer and order a power steering pump pulley for a 534 in a 1975 C900 just like that. But time may be running short to find any parts for these through normal channels any more.

Birken

 

If I were that uneasy about the quality of the workmanship on the first Prestolite SD starter they rebuilt, I would surely be looking for a new rebuilder BEFORE the present unit you are using fails. Should BOTH starters fail--and do so for exactly the same reason, it would surely be indicative that their procedures and work is NOT up to par. I feel I would try to find a new shop right away and let them look over the failed Prestolite starter and let them diagnose why IT failed and then let them rebuild it.

If your starter is in a bus application, it may well have an abnormally high heat soak problem. Heat--be it engine induced or electrically induced--is a killer of starter motors.

If you are travelling in a fairly remote place--or, even a relatively high populated one, for that matter--your chance of finding a replacement SD starter will be remote, at best. I feel you should have your failed unit rebuilt ASAP and carry it with you...just in case.

Good luck!