V6 starter tid-bits

[richard bies <bies@domain.elided>]

If you exchange starters, make sure you get the mounting bracket for that
starter.  They all look alike -- but the stud (hole) is about 1/8" further
from the starter on some than others.

If you take enough apart, the heat-shield is not a problem -- with the oil
filter and engine mount (from block to frame) out, and the engine hoisted
up, the shield will slide forward, and can be removed -- so too the
starter, even with the AC compressor still in place.

You probably have to remove that mounting bracket (two 10mm nuts -- what
a pain) in order to get a clean shot at the third motor mount nut -- but
that bracket is slotted -- only necessary to loosen the nuts, the bracket
slides toward you.  The mount (rubber) is also slotted -- remove the bolt
at top and you can probably swing the mount back and forth enough to
loosen the lower nut and slide the mount out (then you need a
double-jointed dwarf to tighten that lower nut on re-installation, but
that's another problem).

{The upper nut securing the starter to the housing seems possibly standard
15mm (normally, that size bolt takes a 17mm nut) -- a 15mm socket and a
couple 3/8" extensions will slip behind the starter/solenoid and engage it
nicely (then all you have to do is keep the bolt from turning....)}.

It only takes about six times as long to exchange starters as it would
if you could get at it.

r.m.bies

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