removing starter 2.5l

[thejum57]

What is the trick to removing the starter? I've done this before but have no idea how. One of the nuts is accessible but super tough to remove, the other one is above the exhaust pipe. I disconnected it from the manifold but it won't move enough to get in there for the other nut ????  Any tricks? 

Thanks ! 

[thejum57]

I finally managed to get the 2 nuts out and the starter is hanging by the wires, it looks like that will be a treat trying to remove and re-attach the wires. I'll go for that tomorrow after work while it's still light out. 

[Pete M]

most starters just suck to replace.   my grandparents had a grand marquis with the 4.6 that required pulling the engine mount bolt and jacking up the engine so you could use 3 feet of extensions to get at it.  or, as the shop ended up doing, you can torch off that one idiotic bolt and reinstall with just the 2 remaining bolts.   

[Swampy]

Be sure to remove that support bar that goes through the trans bell housing it certainly helps me

[thejum57]

Got it finally!!! It was just a major pain all around, those nuts have almost zero space to get a wrench on. I found out by removing the oil filter I could reach the connections easier.  The worst part was holding it up while lying on my back and also trying to align the spacer. My arms feel like Jelllo 

[Pete M]

 

was the old spacer the right thickness?  I had to adjust the shims a bit on my old 86 with the 2.8 when I replaced the starter.

[mjeff87]

Little late now, but if you remove the 2 nuts on the end of the exhaust manifold at the flange holding the crosspipe, you can move the crosspipe out of the way enough to get the one bolt to drop out.  I swapped out the factory E-12 bolts that are much longer than necessary with a couple 3/8 hex head bolts about an inch shorter.  That way, if you ever have to remove them again all you need is a regular socket, and don't have to mess with the exhaust to get them out.  Stupid AMC design that was, lol.

 

Glad you got it figgered out OP