Starter help w/headers
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Starter help w/headers
Alright guys i've almost got this header thing down. Everything is in place except for one key thing, the starter! Some of you said you could get that behemoth ('85) up in there but it was tight, well I dont see any way possible to do it so I need some help. When I get it up in there it hits the transmission/bell housing but otherwise it would clear easily. I dont have like $200 to blow on the smaller one right now so if theres a way to do this, please help 
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 12
From: Hagerstown MD
funny you say that..i just had the starter replaced in my 85 with hookers
i had to pull the header off i couldnt get it to fit either
but there are people on this forum who say it can be done so maybee somebody will chime in
i had to pull the header off i couldnt get it to fit either
but there are people on this forum who say it can be done so maybee somebody will chime in
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,801
Likes: 2
From: St. Paul MN
I've got an '86 with Hooker long tube headers. I know I've replaced the stock starter without removing the headers. My car is an auto car which I think is even tighter than a manual trans in that spot too. I don't remember exactly the correct way to move the starter into position but it is possible. I think I had to push the trans fluid lines a bit while guiding the starter in/out but I didn't have to unhook them. Seems to me you have to manuever it around in a way that doesn't seem like it will end up in the right position but it does.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
my trans lines go right down the middle of the gap between the headers and the transmission, even if they werent there I just dont think it'd fit. The smaller one would have to be a LOT smaller to fit.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
i'm running Lingenfelter headers. The hedmans are more compact in terms of the tubes running closer together. Mine are stepped if that makes sense. I'm starting to wish i'd gone with hedmans cause these are a royal pain to get in there. I think i'm just gonna have to blow the money to get the small starter.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
i'm running Lingenfelter headers. The hedmans are more compact in terms of the tubes running closer together. Mine are stepped if that makes sense. I'm starting to wish i'd gone with hedmans cause these are a royal pain to get in there. I think i'm just gonna have to blow the money to get the small starter.
Last edited by staugur; Oct 1, 2007 at 11:57 PM.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
'84-'87 use the same starter, the '88-'91 is supposed to be smaller. I looked it up and it looks a little smaller and weighs 1/2 as much. I found the later version at Autozone for $95, but it doesnt look like a direct bolt in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
You should have installed starter while header was inplace but not yet bolted to the head.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,335
Likes: 264
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
I started 2 bolts so the header would hang and allow me to move the collector outwards, while installing my big fat starter. 
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Try it anyway. I have Hookers. I move the lines aside by hand, and let the weight of the starter drop itself through the gap between header and engine as I rock it back and forth by hand. Just barely enough room for the starter to fit.
You should have installed starter while header was inplace but not yet bolted to the head.
You should have installed starter while header was inplace but not yet bolted to the head.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
I installed the newer style starter. The close proximity of the headers tends to cook the old large starter.
The new style starter is a lot smaller/lighter and definitely spins the engine over faster.
The only difference is the main positive battery cable requires a short extension to reach the new solenoid. You can replace the entire battery cable, but it goes up over the bell housing to the driver side. An easier alternative is to just buy a 12” cable and use a 5/16” bolt/nut to connect it to your old cable and slide a piece of heat shrink over the connection to insulate it.
The new style starter is a lot smaller/lighter and definitely spins the engine over faster.
The only difference is the main positive battery cable requires a short extension to reach the new solenoid. You can replace the entire battery cable, but it goes up over the bell housing to the driver side. An easier alternative is to just buy a 12” cable and use a 5/16” bolt/nut to connect it to your old cable and slide a piece of heat shrink over the connection to insulate it.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Success! I got that big sucker in there, wasnt easy mostly do to the wiring. I have to say that putting the starter on this car is the really hard. I've got everything put back together underneath and just need to finish tightening the bolts back up on that side for the header. I'm hoping to get it done and take it down to the shop to put the rest of the pipes on 
thanks for the help guys.
thanks for the help guys.
