Starter Question on a '78...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 2
From: Deerfield Beach FL
Starter Question on a '78...
Hello.......I am finally getting around to working on the car. I have to remove my original starter for a rebuild. I am pretty sure there are only 2 - 9/16 bolts holding it on. I got the bottom one off no problem. My problem is the Top one. It seems to be in a very tight area. It looks like there isn't even enough room for it to come out....I cannot get my long handle ratchet on it because of very limited space....I'm hoping I am trying to remove the right bolt LOL! I have wrenched quite a bit on this car, but this is my first time removing the starter.....Can anybody help me out with maybe a pic of where the Top mounting bolt is located to make sure I have the right one? They both attatch into the bellhousing, right? Thanks, I feel kinda dumb posting this! LOL......Thank You for any help on this....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
There are essentially three bolts holding the starter on and no, they don't go into the bellhousing. The two main bolts go up from the bottom into the block. They may be staggered or straight across. There is usually also a brace at the rear of the starter that supports it. This brace is bolted to the starter and to the block.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
This picture, you can see the 2 bolts (offset style). What you can't see is the front brace.
No idea why the same picture posted 2 times.
No idea why the same picture posted 2 times.
Last edited by TimAT; Jan 3, 2013 at 07:29 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
Hello.......I am finally getting around to working on the car. I have to remove my original starter for a rebuild. I am pretty sure there are only 2 - 9/16 bolts holding it on. I got the bottom one off no problem. My problem is the Top one. It seems to be in a very tight area. It looks like there isn't even enough room for it to come out....I cannot get my long handle ratchet on it because of very limited space....I'm hoping I am trying to remove the right bolt LOL! I have wrenched quite a bit on this car, but this is my first time removing the starter.....Can anybody help me out with maybe a pic of where the Top mounting bolt is located to make sure I have the right one? They both attatch into the bellhousing, right? Thanks, I feel kinda dumb posting this! LOL......Thank You for any help on this....
In the above pictures, to forestall any confusion, DON'T attach the large black cable to the BATT post of the solenoid. Black color is usually a grounded cable (or wire). As such, it must go to a good engine ground such as the starter bolts, bell housing bolts, or a short 3/8 NC bolt screwed into the back of the head.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
With my cars, I get some large red or pink shrink wrap at the local FLAPS and shrink it on the positive cable to avoid any possible mistake.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,688
Likes: 41
From: Palm Harbor, Florida
yeah, on mine, a cable isn't even connected there. the positive on mine is connected where the hose is hiding the actual spot on solenoid
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
#1. Disconnect the battery. (sounds obvious, but you'd be amazed at the folks who don't 
)
On the '71 cars, there is a small (16 or 14 awg) ground wire with a connector that fits under one of the two [lower] starter mounting bolts. That large ground wire (OMG...I hope that's not the battery positive wire
) should be connected to the front starter bracket that is bolted to the block. That provides the starter and engine block with 'primary' ground connection. The other end of that ground wire should be bolted to the frame near the right side motor mount.
The lower end of that front bracket is what holds up the front end of the starter. Just remove that nut and star-washer and pull that bracket forward to release the stud on the starter housing. Then, remove those two lower bolts and the starter is free. (After you remove the solenoid wiring, of course.)
Mark ALL wires with tape labels BEFORE you remove them. That way, you can put them back on the right connector/lug.
)On the '71 cars, there is a small (16 or 14 awg) ground wire with a connector that fits under one of the two [lower] starter mounting bolts. That large ground wire (OMG...I hope that's not the battery positive wire
) should be connected to the front starter bracket that is bolted to the block. That provides the starter and engine block with 'primary' ground connection. The other end of that ground wire should be bolted to the frame near the right side motor mount.The lower end of that front bracket is what holds up the front end of the starter. Just remove that nut and star-washer and pull that bracket forward to release the stud on the starter housing. Then, remove those two lower bolts and the starter is free. (After you remove the solenoid wiring, of course.)
Mark ALL wires with tape labels BEFORE you remove them. That way, you can put them back on the right connector/lug.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jan 4, 2013 at 02:31 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Drew
Here's a pic of the starter (1978) after my engine compartment resto from last year. Note the two starter bolts, brace on the right side and the ground cable. The ground cable connects to the frame. You'll also see another black cable of the same size that routes to the battery...these are the two you would not want to get mixed up!
Here's a pic of the starter (1978) after my engine compartment resto from last year. Note the two starter bolts, brace on the right side and the ground cable. The ground cable connects to the frame. You'll also see another black cable of the same size that routes to the battery...these are the two you would not want to get mixed up!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The picture I posted is marked CORRECTLY for the large cable. It goes to the solenoid battery +. It is just hanging in that picture. I agree, it does look like it's grounded. Sorry for any confusion. The battery + cable on my 69 runs past the bellhousing and lays along the top of the starter.
No idea where that picture came from- I think it might be an old "How do I hook up my starter?" post from here.
No idea where that picture came from- I think it might be an old "How do I hook up my starter?" post from here.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 2
From: Deerfield Beach FL
Drew
Here's a pic of the starter (1978) after my engine compartment resto from last year. Note the two starter bolts, brace on the right side and the ground cable. The ground cable connects to the frame. You'll also see another black cable of the same size that routes to the battery...these are the two you would not want to get mixed up!
Here's a pic of the starter (1978) after my engine compartment resto from last year. Note the two starter bolts, brace on the right side and the ground cable. The ground cable connects to the frame. You'll also see another black cable of the same size that routes to the battery...these are the two you would not want to get mixed up!
Hunt4cleanair your pics are Great!
My starter has never been out of the car in the almost 24 years I have owned it, and I don't think it was even before that.
Heading out to the garage now.....Thanks again everyone...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
SuperBuickGuy...
I would disagree with your assessment of the front starter brace. Not only does that brace support all the 'unhung' mass of the starter under rough road conditions, but it also serves as the direct feed for electrical grounding to the starter [frame/2 awg ground wire/starter brace/starter motor]. So, it prevents the starter from breaking off at the rear housing AND it is a much better electrical connection than via the frame/bellhousing/two bolts/rear starter housing/starter motor.
I would disagree with your assessment of the front starter brace. Not only does that brace support all the 'unhung' mass of the starter under rough road conditions, but it also serves as the direct feed for electrical grounding to the starter [frame/2 awg ground wire/starter brace/starter motor]. So, it prevents the starter from breaking off at the rear housing AND it is a much better electrical connection than via the frame/bellhousing/two bolts/rear starter housing/starter motor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
SuperBuickGuy...
I would disagree with your assessment of the front starter brace. Not only does that brace support all the 'unhung' mass of the starter under rough road conditions, but it also serves as the direct feed for electrical grounding to the starter [frame/2 awg ground wire/starter brace/starter motor]. So, it prevents the starter from breaking off at the rear housing AND it is a much better electrical connection than via the frame/bellhousing/two bolts/rear starter housing/starter motor.
I would disagree with your assessment of the front starter brace. Not only does that brace support all the 'unhung' mass of the starter under rough road conditions, but it also serves as the direct feed for electrical grounding to the starter [frame/2 awg ground wire/starter brace/starter motor]. So, it prevents the starter from breaking off at the rear housing AND it is a much better electrical connection than via the frame/bellhousing/two bolts/rear starter housing/starter motor.
thus, you are correct, and correct in pointing out the missing bits of my prior post, thank you.