Replacing starter on 79 Corvette
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City Tennessee
If you don't have one get a starter brace. Most auto parts stores will not have them in stock but you can find them on ebaY for about 10-$15.
Otherwise a simple starter removal in install project will very likely become a project of pulling the trans to replace the flywheel / flex plate.
This brace fits on the back of the starter & bolts to the block & lines the gears up foolproof! NO SHIMMING! This little part will save you about $700, including the $400 trans jack.
Test the starter for about 2 seconds. If it sounds loud & grinding then it IS & it will eat your flex plate & starter gear in a matter of seconds.
This is one of those things that everything can go perfectly or be a major headache!
Here are a few videos on my starter/ flex plate project, when I changed the starter on my 79. Incase everything goes wrong.
I moved the starter from the old motor to the new one & neither had the starter brace so I didn't know it was missing.
Video 15
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/C...the_193159.htm
Video 17
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Corvette-Video-17-the_194462.htm
Photos of brace & proper gear engagement. Notice it does not engage 100% & this is normal.
Otherwise a simple starter removal in install project will very likely become a project of pulling the trans to replace the flywheel / flex plate.
This brace fits on the back of the starter & bolts to the block & lines the gears up foolproof! NO SHIMMING! This little part will save you about $700, including the $400 trans jack.
Test the starter for about 2 seconds. If it sounds loud & grinding then it IS & it will eat your flex plate & starter gear in a matter of seconds.
This is one of those things that everything can go perfectly or be a major headache!
Here are a few videos on my starter/ flex plate project, when I changed the starter on my 79. Incase everything goes wrong.
I moved the starter from the old motor to the new one & neither had the starter brace so I didn't know it was missing.
Video 15
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/C...the_193159.htm
Video 17
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Corvette-Video-17-the_194462.htm
Photos of brace & proper gear engagement. Notice it does not engage 100% & this is normal.
Last edited by MrGoFaster; May 26, 2009 at 01:58 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
Just did this last week on my 1979 L82. Before I remove the starter
bolts I remove the nut that holds the positive cable and positve
power wire. This is readily visible. However, the wire that
actuates the solenoid is not visible until the starter is lowered.
Care must be taken after the nut that holds the rear brace and
the two starter bolts are removed that the starter does not
drop down and break the solenoid wire. You can balance the
starter on the exhaust pipe while removing the solenoid wire.
As others mentioned, first thing to do is remove the negative battery
cable.
bolts I remove the nut that holds the positive cable and positve
power wire. This is readily visible. However, the wire that
actuates the solenoid is not visible until the starter is lowered.
Care must be taken after the nut that holds the rear brace and
the two starter bolts are removed that the starter does not
drop down and break the solenoid wire. You can balance the
starter on the exhaust pipe while removing the solenoid wire.
As others mentioned, first thing to do is remove the negative battery
cable.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City Tennessee
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City Tennessee
Just an added note to this. While your starter is off & before you install your new one. Check the rubber around the end of the main power wire. My wires had frayed inside the rubber cover & I couldn't see it, when I went to start it there was not enough good individual strands of wire causing it to get too hot & caught on fire. More importantly, after the obvious immediate needs of putting it out, I've had unresolved electrical issues ever since. What the electrical system needs after this fiasco is to be totally gutted & replaced with new but thats about $5000 so I'm having to Bubba it at every turn. It should take you a bout 30 sec to check it. 30 minutes & no money to fix it if there is any sign of a problem. Just cut the end off & reclamp it. Or its another one of those things than can go terribly wrong.
Then again, I have REALLY bad luck with mine.
If you thought the trans video was funny you'll love the fire video.
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/C...ite_191640.htm
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City Tennessee
