cut to the chase

[fordrule666]

straight up my starter blew up for my 80 step side and now i need a new one. will one from a 88-95 starter work with some modifactions or should i just by a new starter for the truck. its a 1980 Gmc grand searra 4x4 with 305 married to a t350. Im hurting to drive this truck. owned it for 6 months and have a drove it for mabey 3.5 weeks in tottal

 

[Charlie]

If you intend to keep it, IMO, I would go for a new one so maybe there will be no worries!.

 

[smoothandlow84]

X2 buy a new one and get the lifetime replacement warranty. If you buy a remanufactured starter they usually come with a limited replacement warranty but are a little bit cheaper.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

X3 new or rebuild the old one if anyone near you does it.

 

[chengny]

straight up my starter blew up for my 80 step side and now i need a new one. will one from a 88-95 starter work with some modifactions or should i just by a new starter for the truck. its a 1980 Gmc grand searra 4x4 with 305 married to a t350. Im hurting to drive this truck. owned it for 6 months and have a drove it for mabey 3.5 weeks in tottal

Just reading between the lines:

It would appear that you have a working spare starter - one that is essentially free - but it came from a later model truck than the one you want to install it into. Correct?

So, would it be safe to say, that this is more of a fitment issue - rather whether to buy a new one vs. using the spare?

Take the two starters, put them on the bench and compare them. If the spare starter matches the junk one...bolt it up to the 305 and drive the truck.

We don't have sufficient information (e.g. the size of the engine it was originally used on) to tell you whether the "good spare" can be used in the 1980.

One thing I would certainly not suggest is "making some modifications" just to save a few bucks. You will probably end up spending more money - think ring gear/engine block damage.