Just replaced the starter in my 1995 LS400, brutal
#46
I wish I had paid the $1100 to R&R my starter on my '91' LS400. What a job that was. But I made a little modification on those bolts holding the starter. I took a Dremal and cut a slot into then threaded end of the bolt wide enough for a screwdriver tip to engauge the bolt from the front side of the motor. All I had to do was get something behind the bolt to hold it against the hole and use the screwdriver to turn the bolt untill it bottomed out in the starter. then torque it down. But I wasn't so lucky upon start-up.It doesn't want to idle or run but the starter works fine. Guess I will have to figure out the rest.
#47
I'm just digging into the starter myself. up until now I've been pretty impressed with the build and design of this engine. Those bolts should have been accessible from the opposite side. I'm not keen on having the starter in the engine valley but on top of tha the mounting bolts are the worst.
When I pull the motor from my parts car I'm going to heli coil the bell housing and run the bolts from the opposite side.
When I pull the motor from my parts car I'm going to heli coil the bell housing and run the bolts from the opposite side.
#48
I'm just digging into the starter myself. up until now I've been pretty impressed with the build and design of this engine. Those bolts should have been accessible from the opposite side. I'm not keen on having the starter in the engine valley but on top of tha the mounting bolts are the worst.
When I pull the motor from my parts car I'm going to heli coil the bell housing and run the bolts from the opposite side.
When I pull the motor from my parts car I'm going to heli coil the bell housing and run the bolts from the opposite side.
#50
I managed to get the starter bolts off without removing the coolant crossover bridge. It was far from easy getting the starter out. When I was finally able to get a tool on the two bolts it took a few hours. On the passenger side I was able to use a 1/2" drive ratchet with a 12 point socket. On the driver side I used a swivel head gear wrench that I spent 45 minutes grinding the head down to be able to fit it between the bell housing and bolt.
to initially "break the bolts I heated and bent a 14mm box end and slipped a pipe on it.
I had to walk away from this job out of frustration several times. This is the most awkward job
I've come accross in 15-20 years.
I don't think the starter has ever been out so I had to tease it out with a mallet back and forth for about 30 minutes.
I'll be inspecting the contacts and plunger today
to initially "break the bolts I heated and bent a 14mm box end and slipped a pipe on it.
I had to walk away from this job out of frustration several times. This is the most awkward job
I've come accross in 15-20 years.
I don't think the starter has ever been out so I had to tease it out with a mallet back and forth for about 30 minutes.
I'll be inspecting the contacts and plunger today
Last edited by Returd; 04-27-17 at 07:59 AM.
#51
I managed to get the starter bolts off without removing the coolant crossover bridge. It was far from easy getting the starter out. When I was finally able to get a tool on the two bolts it took a few hours. On the passenger side I was able to use a 1/2" drive ratchet with a 12 point socket. On the driver side I used a swivel head gear wrench that I spent 45 minutes grinding the head down to be able to fit it between the bell housing and bolt.
to initially "break the bolts I heated and bent a 14mm box end and slipped a pipe on it.
I had to walk away from this job out of frustration several times. This is the most awkward job
I've come accross in 15-20 years.
I don't think the starter has ever been out so I had to tease it out with a mallet back and forth for about 30 minutes.
I'll be inspecting the contacts and plunger today
to initially "break the bolts I heated and bent a 14mm box end and slipped a pipe on it.
I had to walk away from this job out of frustration several times. This is the most awkward job
I've come accross in 15-20 years.
I don't think the starter has ever been out so I had to tease it out with a mallet back and forth for about 30 minutes.
I'll be inspecting the contacts and plunger today
#52
Mine's a 92 SC400, not an LS. The wiring harness is right on top of the crossover and even after removing wiring to crossover bolts there was very little harness movement. Just removing the crossover would have been epic for a minor access improvement. once I ground down my cheapo gear wrench it was (relatively) easier.
What would have made life better was if I was able to pull the starter back to keeep the bolts from spinning in both directions. Since the starter was close to bonded with the bell housing I was unable to do that. I did find that pulling up on the gear wrench prevented the bolt from spinning back in. This added to the fatigue, coupled with being spread eagled head first into the engine bay made fora not pretty job, but it got done.
My contacts haven't arrived yet so I haven't opened up. I'm not sure how I'll feel if they are in good shape and this was unessessary. Once done I will know for sure and will have piece of mind whatever the outcome..
What would have made life better was if I was able to pull the starter back to keeep the bolts from spinning in both directions. Since the starter was close to bonded with the bell housing I was unable to do that. I did find that pulling up on the gear wrench prevented the bolt from spinning back in. This added to the fatigue, coupled with being spread eagled head first into the engine bay made fora not pretty job, but it got done.
My contacts haven't arrived yet so I haven't opened up. I'm not sure how I'll feel if they are in good shape and this was unessessary. Once done I will know for sure and will have piece of mind whatever the outcome..
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dbullen
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02-14-10 09:20 PM