start me up

[gary b.]

I was wondering,
Can a moron like me:Silly replace the starter on my 78,
auto. trans? Are any mounting bolts hard to get at?
Do i need any shims? Other than disconnecting the battery,
is there anything special i should know?
Thanks gary.

 

[c4ever]

It's very straightfoward Gary. If you go with a Delco starter I would re-use existing shims. I place a little tack spray to hold the shims in place when installing the starter. While your down there, clean up all wiring and check all connectors and replace if necessary. Also clean up ground strap real well. You'll be done in an hour. You should be able to swing out the old starter without removing any other equipment.

Carlo

 

[Yoda]

Follow Carlo advice and I'll add:

• Get the car high enough to give you room to work!
• MAKE SURE the Car is either on GOOD Jack stands or you have it blocked securely, while in the air!
• Don't try doing this unless the engine is at ambient temp.. with the exhaust so close it can get Real Hot real fast!
• A 3/8" drive with a 6" extenstion and a 9/16" open/box end (it's been a while, I think they are still SAE 9/16")
• 3/8" or 5/16" for the selenoid connections

Since your down under the belly of the beast, do an inspection of the steering system, pull and push on your idler arm, check out the rubber in the front suspension.. These are all pretty easy to change out if needed

Talk Nice to her, but don't be afraid to let her know if she is being difficult too

 

[vigman]

Gary

Easy,
Assuming you have bought the replacement starter already.

1) Disconnect the battery

2) Jack the pass side of the car up & put jacks stands underneath.

3) Dive, Dive... bring a 9/16 rachet with extension a small cresent wrench or a selection of small sockets or nut drivers.
and some sort of pencil & paper ( or marker & cardboard)

LOTS OF RAGS & safety glasses.



4) Wipe the bulk of the slime & road grit off the area that you will be working on ( hence the safety glasses.. nothing worse than getting a piece of grit in you eye.)

5) Remove the two bolts holding the starter and let it drop a little.
ALWAYS KEEP CONTROL OF THE STARTER IF IT FALLS AND HITS YOU IT'S GONNA HURT!

6) Remove the wiring of the back of the solenoid ( draw a picture first )

7) Drop the starter... now if the auto tranny cooling lines are in the way.. you can give em a bit of a tweek ( easy ) to get clearance.

Got it... check for shims. if they are there fine reuse em.. if not..not a big deal.

8) Clean the area where the new starter will go back into remember the starter gets it electrical connection from the metal to metal contact.

9) Reverse this procedure to install.

10) While your down there... check the ground connections ( on the block ) make sure everythings tight!

11) Reconnect batt... start her up!

Easy-peasy!~

Vig!

Yoda beat me to the punch! LOL

 

[Eric]

Well Gary, Carlo & Vig & Bud pretty much covered it all. The only thing I would add is that since you're gonna be down there you may as well throw a heat shield on it. Makes sense to go ahead and do a little preventative maintenance.

One other thing, you should be shot for titling the thread like that. Now I have the Stones stuck in my head.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

If you start me up...

I'll never stop, never stop, never, never, never stop.
Start me up.
Whooo!
If you start me up, I'll never stop, never stop.....

Stop it!!!!! :dance Now I'm singing it too!
Heidi

 

[JohnZ]

Don't forget the starter brace between the forward end of the housing and the block; it supports the weight of the heavy motor case, and some previous Bubba may have left it off. Starters last longer and make less noise with the brace installed.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Kudos to the heat shields!

We had major problems (10 years ago) with heat-soak and not being able to re-start the vette if it was hot. The heat shield solved it all.
Heidi

 

[gary b.]

Don't ya hate that,

When a song gets stuck in your head, happens to me
every single day!

Thank's for all the reply's! Even with the exhaust so close, it's
not going to be in the way?

Are those wrap around heat shields any good? Or is a metal one
better?
THANK'S AGAIN!

P.S. heres another one for ya," Maybe i'm amazed" that
Paul Mccartney is on t.v. tonight, got to go watch him!
It's a concert from liverpool. gary.

 

[RalleyRed]

Stop it!!!!!:dance now I'm singing it too!

I just hope you weren't at work Heidi!!:L

Rick

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Not on a Sunday!

...but the kitties were sure looking at me funny!
(I really CAN'T sing!)

There is a different Rolling Stones song that gets stuck in my head at work. It escapes me now, I guess I have to be at work!
Heidi