Starter Installation Tips

new 4/05/2004

Well, I got the car up on jacks, and found the starter right were http://www.shotimes.com/SHO3starters.html

said it would be. I took the first bolt out of the bottom, but for the life of me, I can't figure out how to get the dang thing off. It looks like there is another bolt on top, but it is on with a nut(?) and I can't get up there to get it off. Furthermore, it appears as though it will not come off with a socket wrench. Does anyone have any experience in removing this thing, or a diagram? There are also some wires attached, of course.

Thanks in advance!

David

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That is the ground wire. Probably easier to cut the wire and re-attach with
a new lug. Why ford does not put washers on top of the lugs before putting
on the nut is beyond me. This is all that is necessary for this types of
connections to come apart easily.

Paul Nimz
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At least on my '93, the nut comes off and the ground cable then comes off.
Then the stud that the nut was on has a head and it comes out. Watch it
though, this is when the starter bounces off of your forehead!

What year is this?

Paul L Fisher

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It's a '96. What do you mean by "Then the stud that the nut was on has a head and it comes out."? I think the starter on the '93 and '96 are the same or very similar. Are you saying that the top bolt with the ground is the only other connection holding it on? How the heck to you get up to it to get it off? I may have to start ripping other things out as I cannot reach up there properly. Also, the lower bolt was like 17mm, but the top one looks like it might be 5/8"?

David

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David, cut the cable and remove the whole stud with nut then break it apart
after.. go to the parts store and get a new ground lug and attach it to the
bolt..

Kirk J Doucette

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A picture is worth a thousand words. I have mo picture so here's some words,
hopefully less than 1000:

There are 2 'bolts' holding on the starter. The lower one you already
pulled. The upper one is an unique one. It is kind of a bolt with 2 threaded
ends. Kinda looks like this -------|----- where the | is the hex. On the
right hand side of the hex, there is your ground wire with a lug and then
another nut. You pull the nut off, the ground wire with the lug will come
off then you can use a deep well socket or an open end wrench (takes a long
time) on the hex mentioned above and unscrew the whole bolt.

Paul L Fisher

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I think I'm starting to get it. So the side I have been looking at (towards
the passenger side of the car) is where the ground wire is. I shouldn't try
to undo that. I should try to access the other side and remove the hex on
that side. Then work it off and watch my head, then remove the other nut or
cut the ground wire?
David
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Actually, you can't do that. You have to remove the nut or cut the cable as
others have suggested. If you cut the cable, make sure the battery is
disconnected 1st or you'll have some SPARKS!

Paul L Fisher

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Removal and Installation

REMOVAL

Disconnect the battery ground cable. WARNING: WHEN SERVICING STARTER MOTOR
OR PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE IN THE AREA OF THE STARTER MOTOR, NOTE THAT
THE HEAVY GAUGE INPUT LEAD CONNECTED TO THE STARTER SOLENOID IS ELECTRICALLY
HOT AT ALL TIMES. MAKE SURE THE PROTECTIVE CAP IS INSTALLED OVER THE
TERMINAL AND IS REPLACED AFTER SERVICE.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
Disconnect starter motor solenoid connector and starter battery cable from
starter solenoid.
Remove upper and lower retaining bolts.
Remove starter motor.
INSTALLATION

Position starter motor to engine and install upper and lower bolts
finger-tight.
Tighten the upper and lower retaining bolts to 21-29 N.m (16-21 Lb-Ft) .
Install starter battery cable and retaining nut to starter solenoid
B-terminal. Tighten nut to 9-14 N.m (80-123 Lb-In) .
Connect starter motor solenoid connector. Tighten to 6.5 N.m (57 Lb-In) Max.

Replace starter motor solenoid terminal cover.
Lower vehicle to floor.
Connect battery ground cable.

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What you have is just as is on the surge tank ground strap. It is a stud
with a fixed nut and a larger nut to secure the ground cable with. I would
be soaking it with PB blaster and be sure to use two wrenches. Otherwise
just cut the cable and put a new lug on. Probably help to take the battery
and battery box out. This way you can attack it from the top.

Paul Nimz

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Thanks to everybody who contributed to this topic. After searching the site, I realized we don't have this procedure posted. David hope all works out well and I'm glad you posed the question to the list.

Again, Thanks to all.

Hint - Pictures would be good!!

U.L.

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