does anybody have headers on their FE powered 4x4? and what is the trick to get the starter off and on? my headers are headman brand, any ideas? does the header have to come off to change the starter???? that would be crazy. thanks for any input anyone can provide.

 

Not so crazy. MOst FE header configurations require that the header be removed to get the starter in or out.

Somebody else may know about the Heddmans specifically.

 

cool thanks, I thought I was going nuts...

 

lossen the header....and move it may not have to take it out and then wiggle the starter between...(NOT FUN) should slide out after a while just have some one there to help you hold the headers while you wiggle the starter they get heavy when your on your back and lifting and it hurts when it falls on you trust me...oh i have headers on my Fe 4x4....hope this helps have fun....lol

 

good point. I didn't mean to say it had to be removed all the way. In some cases you can just loosen it up and even better if you lift that side of the motor.

 

I'm in the same boat, my starter finally died-almost 33 years old! in my 71F1004x4. I hope the header bolts don't break on me.

 

spray some WD40 or something on them then let your motor warm up....cut it off spray some more WD40 (whatever) on the and bust em losse should work........just take it slow.......

 

I have no troubles R&R'ing my starter. Heddmen headers I think are known for that. My buddy had that trouble on his 440 Mopar
Motor Home. I have had my headers on for about 25 yrs I ordered
them from Sear's mail order when they had it. Think they are Cat Black 3/8'' header plate 16 ga. tube. It's getting close for
replacements sure think i'll go back to the OEM manifolds. and run 3'' pipes and a H cross over pipe. I guess you'll ask if the starter can be removed the next time you want to order new headers.

orich

 

When I had my 69 highboy, I had no problems getting the starter in and out. It was a tight fit with the headers, but it came out.
Whatever you do, make sure the guy at the parts counter gets you the right starter.
There are two different ones, I didn't know that at the time and it ended up costing me a new ring gear on my flywheel.
Check this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...25252Bstarters

 

finally got it back together, had to take the header compleatly off, leave it loose in the truck and squirm the starter past it. wow thats fun! like one of ya said that lil starter gets heavy after a while upside down and reaching up that far! cool thanks fellas, also on the diffrent starter issue I think they are diffrent between auto and standard transmissions but I aint positive. this one looks just like the spare I had in the shop that was marked "good" LOL! I should have just put a new one on but what the heck if it dies soon that will be good exersize for the header bolts someday.... ps everyone that owns a FE should always use something like "antiseize" on those bolts and make sure the top ones donot protrude the topside of the threaded hole. most of ya'all already know this I just thought I'd say it again.
happy holidays!

 

I too have replaced starters on my '72 390 with headers. Removing header bolts to wiggle starter out is a necessary evil. One thing I have learned is that by wrapping the starter with high temp cloth and the headers where they are close to the starter will give it a longer life, by keeping some of that exhaust heat from it. Next time I am going with a high torque mini starter. A little pricier, but only 8 lbs and in and out is much easier.

 

As for different starters. I only remember the early FE's were all round, no hump. My truck had a 300 cid 6 in it. Out it came in went
a 67 390 that had a auto trans. My truck having the Np 435 trans.
Well, I got a 360 cid bellhousing with flywheel from jk yard (and used my old starter form the auto trans) that worked great. Maybe wrong starter parts house in the box or if the STOP RING spacer for the bendix gear was missing and it engaged to far and ate the flywheel TEETH.. My 2 cents... PS I try to keep things kind of on the stock side, why if i'm on vacation and have a break down it is easyer to get stock parts..
orich