[Shotimes] starter replacement

[George Fourchy]

On Sat, 24 May 2003 22:43:48 -0600, SHOMail wrote:

>My starter is going soon.  Because I tried
>to start it today and all I got was a starter (whine/whirl)
>making no contact with whatever it connects
>to (yeah I know that sounds bad for a description).

The starter drive is flipped out from its resting position to engage the flywheel by
a metal arm that is moved by the magnetic field that occurs when the starter gets
energized by the solenoid, and by your key.  The arm has been known to break...it
did on my black replacement SHO down at Costco when I was trying to get tires before
its New York trip.  When the arm breaks, the motor will run, but the gear won't
engage the flywheel, because the lever that moves it is broken.

>I have been told that it is probably just a few bolts
>and its easy to replace (that thing that I dump oil all
>over when I change the oil).  So, is it easy ?

Starters are relatively easy.  Jack up the front and remove the two bolts that hold
it to the bell housing.  There are a few other connections that you have to remove,
some electrical and some mechanical.  You'll see them.  You also have a small brace
at the front of the starter (...toward the center of the car, Jim...) that is sort
of hard to get to.  Then the starter will come out the bottom, between the subframe
and the oil pan.

If you want more access to the starter, you can remove the smog diagram plate above
the radiator, the IRCM, the air bag sensor, and the cooling fan.  Then you can
better see what you are doing, but you still need to take it out from the bottom.

>Also,  if anyone has a part number, that would be great.
>I have heard of some people getting SLO starters because there are different
>number of teeth on the SHO starter.

As I remember, the starter gear has 9 teeth.  Go to NAPA and get a rebuilt one, or
have your own rebuilt.  At NAPA, I paid about 70 bucks for a good rebuilt starter,
with lifetime warranty....works great.

George and the Lowrider