Larry and all.
I had two places bench test my stater....one (canadian tire) was ignorant to the fact that it would not be a true test without the pilot bushing....the other was a dedicated starter rebuilder that was quite helpful and was aware.  He bench tested it anyway and said despite not having the bushing he can gauge the general health of the starter by the RPM it obtains....not sure how true that was...
Brett

> 
> Date:    Wed, 8 Dec 2010 13:22:35 -0800
> From:    Daryl Christensen <daryl@AATRANSAXLE.COM>
> Subject: Re: 91 Vanagon Manual - slow cranking....
> 
> They cant unless you bring the starter in bolted to a bell housing...
> 
> Daryl of AA Transaxle
> 425-788-4070
> "On the cutting edge of Old technology"
> 86 Syncro Westy with a Zetec in the trunk
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Larry Alofs [mailto:lalofs@gmail.com]=20
> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 11:21 AM
> To: Daryl Christensen
> Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> Subject: Re: 91 Vanagon Manual - slow cranking....
> 
> How does the typical FLAPS test a MT vanagon starter?  Do they have a
> fixture to support the end of the shaft like the bushing does when the
> starter is installed?
> 
> Been wondering about this for some time.
> 
> Larry A.
>