Have any other of you replaced a starter yet? Ours was starting to drag occasionally and I decided to replace it with a new one. Went out and tried to remove the old one... That top bolt is a beeeotch!
It took me over 2 hours just to get the top bolt removed.. Most of the time was spent finding the right socket and extension... Ended up using 1/4 drive with a 6" extension. It sucked though .. Any pointers on reinstallation?
TFB

 

If it's anything like my 4.6 I used a 3/8 wobble extension and put electrical tap over the head of the bolt and forced it into the socket.

Denny

 

I think a 4.6 was in my wife's 2001 Mustang. The starter had three bolts. Two from the rear and then the infamous one from the front.

 

Well, I couldn't get any of my 3/8 sockets onto the top bolt. I ended up using a ratcheting multi tool that had a 1/4" socket adapter on it, a 6" extension, and a regular 13mm socket. Reinstall took about 5 minutes .. LOL!

 

I've noticed from looking at these engines that the AC compressor looks kinda hard to get to also. But who knows maybe with a fender liner out going from underneath it may not be too bad.

 

They been down there for a long time, putting a belt on can be a trying experience . When I did the exhaust manifold on my 4.6 F150 after getting the bolts back into the starter, motor mount back on and the A/C compressor back in place it was time for a beverage, haven't had to turn a wrench on the 6.2 yet.

Denny

 

Nothing could possibly be as bad as the late '80's Dodge Caravans with the turbo 4. They laid between the back of the engine & the firewall with the exhaust manifold coming out above them & wrapping all of the around them in an S-curve before heading towards the back of the van. Dodge had to include ductwork in the engine bay to keep them from getting cooked while you drove. By far the most aggravating experience I've ever had with a starter! VW also used to have a nasty habit of putting the alternator down low & then installing a valance below the bumper that extended all of the way back to the transaxle. You had to dismantle half of the front clip just to reach it! I've always agreed with my dad. The engineers that design these cars should be forced to work on them once in a while!

 

Chevy Corvair....... starter bolts..

74-75 Honda Civic air compressor bolts.

 

2006 Nissan Titan 5.6 the starter was on the top in the valley under the intake manifold in the back...The intake manifold has to come off...although I never had to change it

 

The Toyota 5.7 is in the same bad spot as the Nissan.

 

Just updating this post... Installed a new Remy starter from Rock Auto... It doesn't sound right, so I've submitted a warranty claim on Rock Auto and am getting it refunded. Going to be installing a refurb Motorcraft unit from Rock Auto.

 

That sucks, but at least now you're a pro at changing it out! The best part about your last post is that I forgot what this thread was originally about!

ATP & 390,
I still stand by my dad's thoughts on this. The *******s that design them should have to work on them once in a while!