DEBrahms

The top bolt is keeping me from removing the starter. The bottom two bolts, which screw in front (of car) to rear, are no problem. The top bolt, though, which screws in rear to front, doesn't have a hex head for a socket, merely a slot for a screw driver. I don't know if I should blame GM or Bubba.

The bolt's slot is well hidden and almost inaccessible. I had to tape a small mirror to a ruler to get a picture of it. You can see the slot clearly, as well as the protruding threads on the other side.

I'm going to try to post the pic here, but I've had trouble posting pics in the past, even though I've followed the forum's tutorials to the letter. So, if my pic doesn't appear, please click on the link, which will take you to it on Photobucket. Questions:

- Any suggestions on how to get this sucker out?

- Is this slotted bolt GM OEM or did Bubba screw me?

Here's my try at posting the pic:



Here's the Photobucket link, in case the pic doesn't show up:

http://s1212.photobucket.com/albums/...t=IMG00037.jpg

Thanks, guys. You've helped me a lot in the past.

Dave

62Jeff

Here's your picture.



That's not a GM thing for a starter bolt, although it does remind me of aftermarket offset dowel pins used for shifting bellhousing alignment.

GUSTO14

Is it something you could reach with one of these?


Excellent picture... it's a good shot of the screw, but not easy to orient oneself to the location... perhaps an additional shot from a few more inches away could help. Great idea using the mirror to get the shot.

Good luck... GUSTO

Frankie the Fink

If you're lucky its not even tight ... maybe some LONG needle nose or something to grasp the sides and see if it will turn..

DEBrahms

Jeff, thanks very much for posting my pic. I used the protocol, directly from the Photobucket site, but no luck. Maybe I'm not doing it right.

Anyway, Gusto and Frankie have good thoughts. I'm hoping that the bolt isn't frozen. The ideal tool, in my view, would be a long-shaft screwdriver that has flats at the base for wrenching. I might have to buy one or improvise something.

Do these starters' top bolts always go the opposite direction of the lower two?

Thanks again, guys,

Dave

GUSTO14

10 27/32 in length but it ain't cheap...

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....group_ID=20399

Check with any good mechanic in your area, their sure to have one of them and will likely loan it to you.

Good luck... GUSTO

62Jeff

I believe so, for bellhousing-mounted starters.

DEBrahms

Gusto, I guess you get what you pay for. Before I take the Snap-On route, I'll try to improvise and pray that the sucker will turn without too much cursing.

Jeff, when I replace the starter, I'll use a hex head bolt instead of a slotted one. I have skinny, long-shaft sockets. Maybe the NCRS guys won't look up there. :-)

Dave