VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 37 starter

The rear housing busted on the starter when the engine backfired . I ordered an NOS piece off EBAY . When trying to install it I discovered the bolt holes and locating tab where different . My starter motor number is 739A 77589 . Does anyone know if there where different motor numbers used that this tail piece would fit or another engine application that used a similar starter perhaps on the left side ?

I forgot to say the Master catalog states the part number for the piece is 1865171 . It only shows one number for that year and 37 seems to be the only year for that starter .

Flipping through a multi-make Delco parts catalog, 1929-48, I came to the same conclusion. I did not see that drive end housing (1865171) listed for anything except the 739-A starter.

The only application I saw listed for the 739-A is the 1937 Chevrolet.

It must be a unique 1937 part.

The 739 C would also use that drive end housing but is probably just as hard to find. I will look through my cores tomorrow maybe we will get lucky.

Dave

I have a 739A starter I would be glad to sell. It also has the serial number 923533 on the tag. Let me know if you are interested in the complete starter . It is not rebuilt and is core quality. I can send photos if you would like.

Thanks for the replies . I should have stated that I purchased a used starter off EBAY just to get the right tail piece . I did get everything swapped around today and have the starter installed . I was looking for an answer on this tail piece so maybe I could find it a new home . I don't need it . I have about $34.00 in it if someone could use it .

Do you have a part number for the NOS piece you do not need? I might be able to look it up.

The only number I see was written on a tag attached to the part . 739A 3504 . Hope that helps . Is there a number cast into the part ? I can't see one .

The only difference between a 1937 starter and a 1934-1936 is the front housing. You can remove the front (rear?) housing from a 1937 starter and install a 1934 Master housing and bolt it up to the 1934 Master engine.

Thanks for the info . I see in the Master Parts Catalog , the picture shows it as 1929 thru 1937 so I just need to find what year the motor number 739A 3504 fits on . Any ideas ? Thanks

I am confused but that is easy to do. I thought you said the 739A was off your 37?

The starter housing that covers the starter drive is known as the drive end or d.e. housing. The other end of the starter, the round end housing near the armature commutator, that the brushes are attached to, is call the commutator or c.e. end. Which do you need or want to sell?

Did you find a starter that works for your car or do you still need one?

If your still looking let me know and I can look through the cores.

Dave

It is the part that covers the starter drive that got busted . The starter number on my 37 is 739A 77589 . The number on the replacement part ( on hand written tag ) is 739A 3504 .

I bought a complete starter off EBAY and used the starter drive cover on my original starter which is tuning my engine nicely .
If I can find someone needing the NOS piece , they can have it for what I have in it plus shipping .

I got it now sorry for being dense. You need the number for the first nos d.e. you bought that did not work on the 739A. Try posting a picture showing the mounting details and noting any numbers that may be on it. Long shot but you never know.

Dave

Tonight I took a look in an old MOTOR'S manual under the starter listings . It shows the number 739A listed for Oldsmobile and Packard but I have not found the numbers 3504 listed . Probable need a real good DELCO REMY book to find . I looked at pictures of the Olds and Packard engines . It appears the starter for Olds was mounted on the left side of the engine . The Packard pictures are not clear enough to tell . The search continues .

My 1940 book lists 739A as being for a 1937 Chevrolet.

The Delco book also lists the 739-A for a 1937 Chevrolet (only). Since it did not bolt to a 1937 Chevrolet, it must be mis-marked, and must belong to some other type of starter. That is unfortunate. It will make it difficult to identify.

The only four digit numbers I saw were for things like dome lights, voltage regulators, etc. Nothing related to a starter. No 3504 listed at all.

I woul gues that some one pput a different housing on a 739 starter. That correct housing fits 1937 only but the starter proper will fit many different Chevrolet starters.

I have checked thru many old books from Delco , Motor's Manual and such with no results . I guess I will put it on the self in case something shows up . It looks exactly like the 37 piece but the bolt holes are different .
I want to thank everyone for your help . I will be asking more questions as time goes by .
Michael

When I was researching the 37 starter I found that several other starters used the same case and armature but a different D.E. housing. Unfortunately only the armatures and main housings were listed by part number in my Hollander manual.

Same " stuff " I have been running into . One day an answer will pop up . I will keep my eyes open . I have a sneaky felling it is Oldsmobile , but can't confirm . If anyone finds something , please let me know .
Michael

Using the Hollander manual I see that the 738G and 738H use both the same armature and drive as the 739A . Possibly the D.E. housing is for one of those which fit 35-36 Chevy. The 738G listed for all 35-36 and the 738H 35 Master only.

Thanks Steve . I'll keep looking .