Tips on starter replacement?

[mbouse]

the big footnote on my comments are IF YOU HAVE NO EMISSION TESTING REQUIREMENTS....

finding a single plane 1800 intake manifold is relatively easy. i think i saw one for sale yesterday on one forum or another. swapping the emission equipment laden '79 intake for the 1800 intake is realtively straightforward and can be done in about a half hour...ok, and hour if you are a novice with the right tools. Combine that swap with a new, or recently rebuilt 32/36, or 34 Weber Carburetor is a piece of cake.

if you were planning on doing those things anyway....needing to change the starter is the perfect reason to do it now. having that P.O.S. stock intake lying on the floor while you change your starter is THE way to go. then, before you put in the better performing equipment, you can also check the fluid in the steering box, and replace the crankcase breather hoses....both tasks much more difficult when the intake is bolted on. have you seen your cyclonic trap yet?


this is an official "Been there-Done that" message.

[baltobernie]

After reading this thread, I'm now thinking about removing and testing my starter, now that the cylinder head is off. I think the local mega-parts store does this gratis. Already ordered PCV hoses and flame trap. Didn't know about steering box oil level; thanks. Should I use the turkey baster on the old oil, or just top off?

Other adjenda items: both heater hoses (and a "T" for flushing and air removal), both belts, fuel filter and new fuel hoses. Anything I'm missing?

[mbouse]

how long has it been since the timing belt was changed?

[baltobernie]

It and the alternator belt still have logo's visible, but I'm changing them both as well.

[So Cal Mark]

boy, unless you're planning on doing lots of maintenance this is turning into a big job. I suppose it's different if you're getting paid to do a specific job, but if I went through all that to change a starter I'd have to charge $1000. With the right tools, that starter replacement is a 30-45 min task

[spider79]

I have two (the easiest) of the bolts out of the starter already. Now that I have the new starter, I can see where the third one is located.

I also finally bought a clue that if I go ahead and change the oil and leave the oil filter off, I'll have enough room to reach into the front of the starter to disconnect the cables from the front. No time to mess with it this evening, so I'm going to pull the oil drain plug and the oil filter and let it drain overnight so it's free and clear in the morning.

All the suggestions for all of the other maintenance and upgrades are fantastic, but like Mark said, I really, really don't want to turn this starter replacement into some major overhaul. I've got to get the car out of where it's sitting right now ASAP, so it's starter alone for now.

[spider79]

Ok....... I had a young friend in my shop last night who in a moment of overzealous helpfullness disconnected the wires from the starter for me, but, I didn't see him do it!

I got the old starter out of the car, and the new one back in and it's time to reconnect the wires to the starter. I have four separate wires. One medium size brown one, one medium size Green one, one big green one, and a red one with a spade plug.

Obviously, the red wire plugs back in the spade plug. Anyone know off the top of their heads which wires go on which terminal of the solenoid? I'm trying to reach him by phone to find out what he did when I wasn't looking, but no success yet.

[So Cal Mark]

all of the wires attach to the same stud on the solenoid with the exception of the spade terminal

[spider79]

Thanks, Mark.

I'm trying hard not to get mad at my young friend for "helping me out" and not remembering what he removed from where, but at least he tries!

[So Cal Mark]

there is a lesson here about using digital photos, making notes or drawing a diagram!

[spider79]

Mark,

That's for sure. I'm very careful, usually. In this case, I pushed the car in the shop and put it on jackstands. I removed two of the three bolts on the back of the starter and was pondering how to remove the third while waiting the new part to show. I had some friends over in my shop, and I had a hearty young volunteer who jumped into the fray..... I was glad for the help until I asked him what he removed from where.........

I knew I was in trouble when I got the puzzled reply "Umm, I don't remember." Live and learn!

Thanks for the advice!

[So Cal Mark]

happy to help