It's aliiiiiiiive!
When I first tried to start the truck after bringing it home from Fort Indiantown Gap, it turned over a few times, then the batteries got weak, and it just clicked. I charged them up, both read 12.97 volts independently. Still only a click when key turned.
I cleaned all cables and grounds. Still just a click.
Went to Advanced Auto, and bought a new manufactured "Remy" starter. NOWHERE did it say where it was made, however in the small text describing the company's history, they mentioned they were a "Multi-national" company.
It was easy getting the original starter out, and it was the HEAVIEST starter I have worked on.
The new starter had a narrower body. I got it into place, but couldn't get the two bolts in for the life of me, and I tried......put many a bolt in in my day.
It turns out the starter bolts that were on the truck have a short knurled section near the threaded end that is just a tad wider O.D. than the body of the bolt. They would not go through the starter bolt holes completely. They would go most of the way and then stop dead, like a press fit! I tried the bolts in the original starter, and they fit fine. Chinese machining tolerances strike again.
I had to dress the knurled section down a little bit.
The old starter had a cracked nosecone, and the large power cable from the battery to the starter had a lot of melted insulation.
Once in, the truck cranked over fine, but didn't start right away.........pppucker factor went up. I let the starter rest between attempts, and then we got a pop, and another pop, and then, it started. My neighbors undoubtedly hear the loud "Yeah baby" which was better than what they were hearing previously.
The motor sounds great, much less clatter than my M1008. It has good oil pressure, no smoke at all, and the charging system seems to be putting out well too.
I took a short drive around the hay field, and everything seems to work. I sure hope this turns out to be a good one. I need it after the truck troubles I have been dealing with for the past few weeks.