Case VAC Starter - How to test

[Nobel]

Hello. Just finished up a VAC. Went to start it for the first time and nothing . . . what a disappointment. Checked electrical and then finally the starter. Put a starter off one of my other VAC tractor and it fired up. I believe my armature is bad on my original starter. Can someone explain how to test it, specifically how much resistance I should have on a winding? I got it to turn every once in a while when hooked to a battery but it sounds terrible. I checked the brushes and they look okay and are not shorting to the case. I cleaned the commutator so it shines. It looks like I should measure resistance at a 90 degree angle. I get a short between every pad on the commutator so that is what leads me to think it's bad. Any suggestions / validations that I am correct would be appreciated.

 

[tomfg]

It's been 35 years since I used a growler, but that's what you need to check your armature properly for shorts. I believe every segment / pad on the commutator should have continuity to every other pad, and that it's possible to have a open segment..
or worse yet, a dead short.

 

[Nobel]

Thank you. I looked up a growler. Interesting to see it in action. I guess I'll just bite the bullet and buy a new starter. If the new one last 60 years like this one I'll be thrilled. . . . or I should say my kids will be happy. I doubt I'll be around.