Cracked Solenoid Housing

I was trying to loosen a bolt and cracked the solenoid housing. Anything I need to worry about?

Thanks van wizards! Still no word on those old parts though.

are you talking about the
starter solenoid,,,,,,

I believe it's the S terminal on the starter solenoid- I can post pictures in @ half an hour.

if you take the 2 screws out and the nuts off the S and M terminals, that plastic end cap comes off and you can see what you got,,,,,,

It's the S terminal. I am trying to remove the blue wire-here's a picture:

The screw's on there tight and I am afraid I might damage it more trying to loosen it.

you need to hold the nut that is under the terminal to get that outside nut off,,,,,so use some needle nose or bend that terminal back or crunch it with vice grips to hold that inner nut with pliers,,,,,,,why do you want to take it off,,,,,

It was a wire to a starting switch that I no longer need (forgot that "S" stands for "starter", duh). I guess I should have just cut the wire, wrapped the end in tape and called it a day. I am glad to get the ok to use pliers though, thought I might have to shop for the right size racheting wrench.

I have to work now but am going to take off the end tomorrow, to be continued. Thank you yet again for your wisdom!

when juice gets sent into that S terminal, it causes the round contact plate to slam into the B and M terminals and turn the starter on,,,,,,,so unless you cracked the plastic badly, I would leave it alone as long as the starter still works,,,,,,,,,eventually you will need a new starter and new solenoids come on them,,,,,,solenoids cost like $20-40,,,,,,so they aint worth putting onto a old starter,,,,,,,we can get you another plastic cover if you need one,,,,,,

I drove around today, there doesn't seem to be any problem. Here's the crack and the cut blue wire with electrical tape wrapped around the end. I suppose I could put some silicone on it. The crack I mean:

Guess I'll clean off the engine too.


The new horn where the starter button used to be, under the dash to the right:


Looking good, thanks again!

The crack is around the bat. contact. That could enlarge and possibly break off eventually. You could  put a new cover on the solenoid or you could invest $30- $40 and put a rebuilt starter on.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search.oap?year=1966&make=Chevrolet&model=G10%2BVan&vi=1322198&keyword=starter

Ok Troups= Heres what i always do (from way too much experience!!)--when replacing any starter= These rebuilders never recheck the solenoid terminals!! I always check every nut on all the solenoid terminals for tightness- i mean the nuts that are securing the 2 small terminals & the large + battery terminal!! No Need to get a gorilla hand on these!! just make sure theyre secure. !! After mounting the starter - when installing the wiring - always use a lock washer on every terminal / wire!! Then when tightening EACH WIRES= lock nut -HOLD!! each Wire !! Dont allow the wire to move!! That Movement of the wire many times when tightening- WILL crack or even break the plastic solenoid cover!! Do The same when removing any wiring from the starter solenoid!! I am talking all about GM starters with solenoids mounted to the starters!! Do this even on all remotely mounted solenoids too!!Ill also add =make sure to look @ all ground wires for lock washers on the securing bolts / studs too!! I make my mad money every summer doing marine repair. I replace maybe 10+ starters a season for people & always Check the ground wires as this can be a trouble spot for the circuits! Then go play!!

Twin is right!!! Nothing worse than an old stuck nut or bolt!!!

If you aint going to buy a new starter,  PM me with your address,,,,,I will give you one of those plastic contact plates,,,,,,,,you need the horn button to be close to your hand,,,,,,not be searching for it when you need it,,,,,,,If the button dont work, a button on the shift collar is right next to the horn button,,,,,

Instead of adding a horn button, why not take the time to just fix the correct one in the wheel?  Hubs and cams and wires can be replaced or repaired, why doesn't it work as it should? ....JM02....

I myself dont like the stock steering wheel button position,  my arms like to sit on it while driving and turning,,,,and my fingers hit that side button just fine when I need to use the horn,,,,,,,back in the old days before the internet, you could not find parts for vans anyways, you had to make due with what you could find,,,,,,,,thats why my horn button sits up there along the side of my steering column,,,,,,,

Update:  Thanks for your patience, it was much easier than I was making it  out to be. That's inexperience for you! I got a new solenoid and put it on. Lock nuts on the terminals. The car starts so I think I'm good!