removing a 390 starter
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 215
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From: Planet Earth
Hey, I don't know if this is valid, but on my 72, 3/4, 360, AT:
If you look at the starter from the front of the truck, there are bolts that go through the starter into the bellhousing (is it called a bellhousing on an AT). One at 6 o'clock, another at 10 o'clock, and a third one at 1 o'clock.
The ones at 6 and 10 were easy, but the one at 1 o'clock was a real pain in the rear. I had to get 2, six inch, and one, 4 inch socket extender and snake the socket to the bolt along the side of the block, up under the exhaust manifold. Like I said, it was a pain in the rear.
If this isn't valid for your application, please disregard.
Sam
If you look at the starter from the front of the truck, there are bolts that go through the starter into the bellhousing (is it called a bellhousing on an AT). One at 6 o'clock, another at 10 o'clock, and a third one at 1 o'clock.
The ones at 6 and 10 were easy, but the one at 1 o'clock was a real pain in the rear. I had to get 2, six inch, and one, 4 inch socket extender and snake the socket to the bolt along the side of the block, up under the exhaust manifold. Like I said, it was a pain in the rear.
If this isn't valid for your application, please disregard.
Sam
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
On my 352 I used the extension method also. Changed the top bolt to a stud so I could start the nut a little easier.
Dave
Dave
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
The easiest way to get the top one is to cut the strap on the fender (if it has not rotted away already) and pull the inner fender out a bit and reach right in for the bolt. Also, handy for changing the exhaust.
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From: Long Island USA
I have a 30-year-old Snap-On 1/2" u-joint socket that works perfect on that top bolt.
Per another discussion about FE starters, compare the starter gears to make sure you get one with the same number of teeth.
Some parts places just think "three bolt" or "two bolt" ford starter. Turns out that I have gotten at least one coarse-toothed starter when I didn't want one. I don't think it was so much the parts store, but the rebuilder not giving a damn about the number of teeth, just the number of bolts.
Per another discussion about FE starters, compare the starter gears to make sure you get one with the same number of teeth.
Some parts places just think "three bolt" or "two bolt" ford starter. Turns out that I have gotten at least one coarse-toothed starter when I didn't want one. I don't think it was so much the parts store, but the rebuilder not giving a damn about the number of teeth, just the number of bolts.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Heh, the fun top bolt. The way I do it is to tie some dental floss around it, so that when you drop it down into the bellhousing (or behind the starter) you can get it back and try again. When you get it in, cut the dental floss off as close as you can to the bolt.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Northern, Va
Never remove the posi cable first Remove the neg. only If you remove the posi cable first & the tool hit a ground it will spark. How can the neg. cable spark unless you hit a posi. cable . If you remove the ground an't nothing going to happen. Don
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