Starter easy to replace on 85
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 145
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Starter easy to replace on 85
Thinking its time to replace the starter on my 85. It's making a loud grinding noise when I start the car. Is it a hard thing to do on an 85? I've never done a starter and don't do much mechanically (mostly oil change, spark plugs, plug wires, carbs etc) and was just wondering if I should take it to someone or if it's easy enough to do myself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
Its easy and pretty straight forward. DISCONNECT the ground cable first!!!. There are two bolts that old the starter to the engine, The thing is a bit heavy so caution there. One bolt holds the cable on the starter itself. There is another small wire bolted to the starter. You may think about a mini starter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
If your car is an automatic, you will find it a challenge to snake out around the transmission lines. 
really think about a mini-starter. Think you will be much happier installing it than the standard starter.
really think about a mini-starter. Think you will be much happier installing it than the standard starter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
What is a good brand of mini starter? I also have a grinding noise once and a while of less than 5 seconds with the original 88 starter. I ordered a mini from JEGS a few years ago when I was pulling the automatic transmission, one of those multi bolt pattern bases, and could not get the starter bolt holes to line up so I sent it back and put my old starter back on.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Thinking its time to replace the starter on my 85. It's making a loud grinding noise when I start the car. Is it a hard thing to do on an 85? I've never done a starter and don't do much mechanically (mostly oil change, spark plugs, plug wires, carbs etc) and was just wondering if I should take it to someone or if it's easy enough to do myself.
The hardest part is raising the car of the ground, disconnect the battery then the flexplate cover will need to be removed.
Unbolt the knock sensor guard from the sump, then the rear starter support (just loosen a few turns) then the two main starter bolts.
Now remove the wires from the starter, CHECK the flexplate ring gear.
If it looks good and has no bad wear replace the starter.
A worn ring gear means transmission removal.......
Fit the new starter and make sure you check the clearance, pull the starter gear out onto the ring gear. A paper clip should fit between the top of the starter gear and bottom of the ring gear, if it does not use shims between block and starter to space the starter correctly.
A mini starter gives you more room and is lighter = easy to fit , I have one on my 85 and it has never given me any trouble.
Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 120
From: AZ
As a demanding buyer, I will praise these guys:
http://www.hitorque.com/category_s/25.htm
Family shop, first class AMERICAN place! 20 years on my starter, that has a tough workload! call them to get the right one.
(No affiliation to me)
http://www.hitorque.com/category_s/25.htm
Family shop, first class AMERICAN place! 20 years on my starter, that has a tough workload! call them to get the right one.
(No affiliation to me)
