Can you identify my starter? (PROBLEM SOLVED)

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cruiser

cruiser

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Hi Guys: A few years ago I replaced the starter in my slant six powered 1974 Duster. I do not believe that it was the factory original starter when I removed it. I'm curious now and am wondering if anyone can identify what year this starter was made, and what models it was used on. On the black cylindrical motor housing is the part number: 3755900 . Below this part number is the number 24. On the cast aluminum drive housing are the following: A word encircled by an oval with the word "Crotex" molded inside it, and the number 2895219. There also appears to be a date coding star with the number 3 in the center. All of the info that I've taken from the aluminum drive housing are guesses. For the most part, the numbers are nearly impossible to make out. But the stuff from the black motor cover is correct - I'm sure of that. Any ideas? Thanks - cruiser
 
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A better question might be "who cares?" Or maybe I should say, "why do you care?" You've replaced it so it's not original. Rebuilders have a habit of mixing parts, so it might be a conglomerate, anyhow. Unless you are worried about "restore correct" next time it fails put a modern PM starter on there

"In general" there were at least two "motor lengths" (the length of the motor proper" which indicates lighter or heavier duty. Earlier starters did not have the little ears sticking out the sides of the solenoid with the screws in them. I've forgotten, but this was supposed to be an improvement. The big no1 issue with working with old Mopar starters is "not" forgetting to detach the solenoid wire that is wire wrapped or soldered into the starter when disassembling the thing
 
Well its obvious who cares.....I can't help on the manufacturer call outs, but most all the starters from early 60's up to the RAM era were the same functionally and physically. Whole lotta cores rebuilt with parts bin replacement bits to make Frankenstein starters that worked. Internet is your friend. But the RAM style mini Denso starters work a whole lot better, they are smaller, lighter, more powerful and are widely available at parts yards.
 
67Dart273 said:
A better question might be "who cares?" Or maybe I should say, "why do you care?" You've replaced it so it's not original. Rebuilders have a habit of mixing parts, so it might be a conglomerate, anyhow. Unless you are worried about "restore correct" next time it fails put a modern PM starter on there

"In general" there were at least two "motor lengths" (the length of the motor proper" which indicates lighter or heavier duty. Earlier starters did not have the little ears sticking out the sides of the solenoid with the screws in them. I've forgotten, but this was supposed to be an improvement. The big no1 issue with working with old Mopar starters is "not" forgetting to detach the solenoid wire that is wire wrapped or soldered into the starter when disassembling the thing
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"Why do you care?". That's like asking "Why would you drive an old Dart? It's just a car you drive to the grocery store. Who cares? You could drive a modern car that's far more comfortable. So what's the point?". I'm interested in the starter because it's my hobby. Like restoring an old Dart. I know that I can buy a new mini starter at NAPA this afternoon. I knew that years ago. A new off the shelf starter means nothing to me. An old starter is a piece of history. If I didn't care, I NEVER WOULD HAVE ASKED THE QUESTION.
 
In that case I'm awful God Damn sorry I tried to answer
 
Unless you are doing a concours restoration, put a Dakota mini starter in it & lose a few pounds. Plus better & newer technology.
 
cruiser said:
Hi Guys: A few years ago I replaced the starter in my slant six powered 1974 Duster. I do not believe that it was the factory original starter when I removed it. I'm curious now and am wondering if anyone can identify what year this starter was made, and what models it was used on. On the black cylindrical motor housing is the part number: 3755900 . Below this part number is the number 24. On the cast aluminum drive housing are the following: A word encircled by an oval with the word "Crotex" molded inside it, and the number 2895219. There also appears to be a date coding star with the number 3 in the center. All of the info that I've taken from the aluminum drive housing are guesses. For the most part, the numbers are nearly impossible to make out. But the stuff from the black motor cover is correct - I'm sure of that. Any ideas? Thanks - cruiser
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Can you post a picture?
 
Car Nut said:
Can you post a picture?
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Sure. The starter on the left is the original one that I'm referring to. The one on the right is a date coded correct one that I had rebuilt, which is now in my car. Thanks.

IMG_2106 (1).jpg
 
RustyRatRod said:
SO the right one is what's 100% "correct" for your car. Is that right?
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Rusty: Yes, it is. I just found an original 1974 MOPAR parts manual. Here's what it said: For 1974 A-Body vehicles built before 12/18/1973, the correct part number is 3656575. My car was built in October of 1973, so the rebuilt starter in the car right now is a correct 3656575 starter. For cars built after 12/18/1973, the correct starter part number is 3755900. This is the part number of the starter that I removed last year. So the starter that came with the car wasn't entirely correct based on the build date of my car. In any case, the car now has the right starter in it. I know this discussion is lost on most people that don't care about part numbers and such, but I like having all the correct original stuff in my car. Just my preference, that's all. Thanks to all who weighed in on this topic.
 
cruiser said:
Rusty: Yes, it is. I just found an original 1974 MOPAR parts manual. Here's what it said: For 1974 A-Body vehicles built before 12/18/1973, the correct part number is 3656575. My car was built in October of 1973, so the rebuilt starter in the car right now is a correct 3656575 starter. For cars built after 12/18/1973, the correct starter part number is 3755900. This is the part number of the starter that I removed last year. So the starter that came with the car wasn't entirely correct based on the build date of my car. In any case, the car now has the right starter in it. I know this discussion is lost on most people that don't care about part numbers and such, but I like having all the correct original stuff in my car. Just my preference, that's all. Thanks to all who weighed in on this topic.
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Well the little car is so nice, I can understand why you want to look at the numbers.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Well the little car is so nice, I can understand why you want to look at the numbers.
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Yeah, thanks. To my way of thinking, there are a million ways to modify a vintage automobile, but only one factory correct original build configuration. Part of my enjoyment is to research what's right and bring the car back to that way. That's why I don't put a modern mini starter in it. And no, my car is not a concours restoration. I drive it nearly every day when it isn't snowing here. It has the patina of a daily driven car, not the perfection of a show poodle. I don't mind it getting dirty or getting the paint chipped by road gravel. But I want somebody to examine my car 100 years from now, and be able to see exactly what the St. Louis MO Plymouth assembly plant put into these cars back in October of the year 1973. But that's just me.
 
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