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Replacing the starter on my 87 LE... Took the bolts out... How do i get it out? What am I missing? All the posts about starter replace make it sound easy... I know I'm missing something obvious...lol

Thanks for any help!

Coop
95 SSE
87 LE

1. disconnect battery
2. disconnect both wires from starter
3. Unbolt both bolts holding starter on
4. starter may stick to block, but should come off at this point

edit: you have an LG3? Then the front header (exhast manifold) is in the way.

Yes the manifold is in the way.. The starter is off the block laying on the crossmember... Do I need to take the exhaust manifold off the head to get the starter out?

Yes, take it off. Also, even though it doesn't have one, get a gasket for the exhaust manifold so it doesn't leak when you're done.

Okay... Thanks... Ordered a gasket and now am bathing the nuts and studs in penetrating oil... Good times ahead I'm sure

IIRC, the starter CAN be finessed out by twisting it forward between the pipes, sorry, it's been a couple years, can't remember exactly how it went, but it did go.

Backhoe wrote:IIRC, the starter CAN be finessed out by twisting it forward between the pipes, sorry, it's been a couple years, can't remember exactly how it went, but it did go.

Through the exhaust manifold "loop"? Meaning out the top? Looks like it might with some finessing... I have a reduction starter from a late model supercharged 3800 so re-install shouldn't be a problem. I'll still keep oiling the nuts if it gets too frustrating...

Got it out... Finessed through the exhaust loop out the top. I removed the electric fan (4 10mm bolts and the connector), for the needed clearance...then put a piece of cardboard over the radiator fins to protect them from me and me from them... I had the solenoid toward the passenger side... Almost out and of course I dropped it into the cardboard protected radiator fins... No damage
Tomorrow onto the reduced gear starter install...

Thanks Backhoe and MattStrike for the advice!

Good stuff, keep that Bonnie ticking! I'm still missing the ride of my '87, she's goin to the scrapper pretty soon.

Smart thinking using the cardboard! Glad it's running. - BC

coopsse wrote:Yes the manifold is in the way.. The starter is off the block laying on the crossmember... Do I need to take the exhaust manifold off the head to get the starter out?

i just had to do the starter on mine recently, if you take the bottom nuts off the front engine and trans mounts where they go thru the subframe you can put a 2 x 4 under the oil pan and lift the engine up a little bit to get the require turn to take the old starter out and manuever the new one in. each mount only has 2 15mm bolts at the bottom and is a major time saver.