As for the [costly] evaluation I’m reminded of the time when I sought out a restorer fo my Pagoda in 1999. I found one, now deceased that used a program where he did this. He called it a work project or something like that. During my consideration process he sent me an example of one he did. I read through most of it until I got to the page on the starter motor.
Each step in the process of dealing with the starter was described in excruciating detail. There was more than 4 hours of labor dedicated to this. That’s when I realized this guy wasn’t for me.
We removed the starter and bought a Bosch factory renewed unit instead. A significant savings, Bosch quality, and little effort. No documentation required.
Now, some prewar Mercedes? Perhaps a different story.