Starter replacement - Question on removing it
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,166
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From: Orlando Fl
Starter replacement - Question on removing it
I need to replace my starter and it appears the exhaust is in the way wedging in the starter but only by about 1/4 of an inch... It's not much but enough that I am out of wiggle room. Do I have to drop that section of the exhaust to remove and replace the starter??
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If you haven't done so already, make sure to disconnect the battery so you don't end up shorting out anything.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,166
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From: Orlando Fl
Actually, thats partly the reason for the post. I started to loosen both the bolts up on the passenger side head and initially both started to turn fine but then, in both cases, seemed to turn but with noticeably more resistance. I didnt turn either bolt much, maybe 1/2 turn TOTAL for fear that these were either reverse threads or that the bolts themselves were spot welded up on top and I didnt want to break that weld. So, figured I better get details from 'those in the know' first...
6th Gear
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Edit:----- i thought you were loosening from the head. Loosen from the head and the starter should fall right out.------- Not normal. What's happening is call electrolysis. Steel into aluminum. Who ever put your header bolts in didn't use anti-sieze or something hcomparable. If you have stock manifolds the same thing is happening. I would suggest using a mini crack torch to heat the head of the bolts up enough to break the bind. I dinto think a rust penatrant will work. Slowly loosen then tighten then loosen then tighten. If you don't have patience you WILL break the bolts off or pull the threads. And no they are not reverse thread. Good luck my friend. Be very patient. Make sure to put anti-sieze back on the bolts before reinstalling. FYI if you do have long tubes you can use a pry bar to flex the tube out of the way without damaging your exhaust. I've gotten mine out that way. (Edit)
Last edited by SILVERBULLET117; Feb 4, 2014 at 01:38 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Ontario
I understand that the GM intake is made in two halves and sonic welded together. I've heard that this welding isn't always the best causing air gaps allowing air bleed through from one port to the other. Have you seen any evidence of this?
Instructor
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stock header bolts have crap on the threads to keep them from coming out. They are a pain in the *** to remove. Ask anyone who has done longtube headers. The resistance is normal and I think some instructions say to "burn" off the residue with a torch after removal. Solvents don't seem to affect it.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,166
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From: Orlando Fl
Starter replacement - question on solenoid bolt size
I have managed to get my starter loose from the flywheel and is now hanging vertically. However, the power wires are still connected and I have to unbolt that blindly, reaching up and trying to take the bolt off and free the starter. Can anyone tell me what size bolt that is on the solenoid? Not much room to work so I dont even know if I can get a small wrench in there to loosen it...
(I dont know how you gearheads do this stuff - certainly not easy!)
(I dont know how you gearheads do this stuff - certainly not easy!)
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I have managed to get my starter loose from the flywheel and is now hanging vertically. However, the power wires are still connected and I have to unbolt that blindly, reaching up and trying to take the bolt off and free the starter. Can anyone tell me what size bolt that is on the solenoid? Not much room to work so I dont even know if I can get a small wrench in there to loosen it...
(I dont know how you gearheads do this stuff - certainly not easy!)
(I dont know how you gearheads do this stuff - certainly not easy!)
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Dallas Texas
I just did this to use a flywheel lock tool to replace the front seal.... it's really tight with the stock exhaust but with some short steel and wood pry bars the starter was convinced to come out. GM could have thought ahead and given us a little more clearance under there.