The problem is that parts-store alternators aren't nearly as durable as the factory one was, so unless it totally dies, I'd keep it if I were you.

Hook the multimeter up to the battery so you can see the display from the driver's seat. If it drops noticeably when you try to crank it, the battery likely needs replaced. After that, if there's no click, the likely suspect is either a loose or corroded battery cable going down to the starter, the tiny wire with the plastic clip on the side of the starter solenoid is loose, or the starter motor is just plain bad.

Check for the first two: Physically go in there with a wrench, loosen, clean & inspect, and tighten the battery and starter ends of the big wire with the rubber boot, and the starter end of the small one with the plastic clip.

After that if there's still no cranking with a good battery, it's likely a bad stater motor. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Well I figured out the problem... it's the starter. The soleniod to be exact. A couple taps with a hammer and it started right up. Got the starter out and apart yesterday. The armature(sp?) coil has three big divots in it from something. Someone has been in it before since two screws are basically stripped. No one can even get a new starter anymore and no one, not even a dealer, has a good part number for the armature coil. Not sure where to go from here. Reman or go pull one from a junkyard and hope for a good coil? Problem is without the truck running I can't go much of anywhere without taking hours on the bus. Decisions decisions. I would prefer to rebuild it if possible so I am off to search the net for parts!!

See if you have an auto electrical repair shop in town. They can probably rebuild the starter you have.

It's not a matter of rebuilding it, it is a matter of the armature coil being in to bad of shape to rebuild period. If no one has a new coil then there isn't much point in rebuilding it. For now I am going to get a reman (yell and scream all you want) because I need the truck running. It has been down for almost 2 weeks now. Be about that long before I can order the starter and actually have it. I will likely try to get a starter from a junkyard and rebuild the original with a different armature coil. By the book it should be smooth or at least sanded/lathed smooth. Even if I had someone take out the gouges, there wouldn't be an armature coil left to rebuild with. I would estimate that they are at least 1/16th or deeper gouges.

Try your local napa store, I just bought one for the '86 I am rebuilding for $49.99. It was $30 cheaper ther than Autozone or Kragens. Kragen's stated they could get a rebuild kit for $47, while the other stores stated no rebuild kit existed for them. The old one would engage but not spin no matter how hard I smacked it.

Since you just started having problems, you should be able to use the starter you have while you drive to the wrecking yard or the parts store, just tap on it when it wont turn over. A buddy of mine drove his truck that way for a year, until he rebuilt the engine. It might be a bit inconvienant, but not as much as a several hour bus ride just to get the part.

Sue me, hate me, chew me out, I don't care. I bought a reman Bosch for the time being. I still plan on rebuilding the original starter and then switching them again but I need the truck to run without issue right now. I am trying to get a new job and I have to get to the interview. This will at least give me more time to hunt down the right parts and get it back to original. I have put reman starters in 3 vehicles before and never had a problem with them before so I hope I won't now but at least it has a warranty.