Starting from Scratch: Replacing the Starter

If you've experienced the following 

• Slow cranking upon starting the car...
• A clicking noise when attempting to turn the ignition over...
• A notchy noise coming from the starter...
• Spamming your key to start the car...

... then you probably need a new starter. Fortunately, this guide should tell you how to replace your starter on a B-Motor! This job is tedious, but should take no longer than an afternoon to complete.

Finding a brand new starter is impossible. Most of them are all remanufactured units, but if you're lucky to find a NOS unit, then kudos! However, for those of us that can't, most are readily available on RockAuto or eBay. Make sure it's the correct unit for a B-Motor or early 8V c900 motor. Alternatively, when you remove your broken starter, you can send it out to be rebuilt by a shop specializing in rebuilding automotive parts like that.

Now, let's begin. Also, before we officially get started, make sure your engine is cold! Don't burn yourself doing this on a hot engine.

You will need:

• Reman/New Starter
• 14mm Socket
• 14mm Box Wrench
• 13mm Socket
• 10mm Socket
• Lots of swearing

1. Locate the starter: It should be right behind the exhaust manifold, towards the front of the engine bay. Part of it is concealed by the flywheel shroud on the front (rear) of the engine. 

2. Unhook your battery, and make sure the ignition is set to off.

3. Removing the starter: I'm going to do my best to describe this procedure, because it's nearly impossible to see from the engine bay. 

A. There are four mounting bolts. The two core bolts are located where the starter meets the fly wheel. The other two are mounted via a mounting bracket towards the back of the starter.

B. Loosen the flywheel shroud by removing the 3 bolts on the top and either side of the shroud. Push it forward towards the radiator to reveal the core mounting bolts. 

C. Using a 14mm box wrench and a 14mm socket, undo the two mounting bolts by the flywheel. The upper bolt will require you to use just the wrench, as it is nearly impossible to fit a full socket in the crevice to mount the bolt. The lower bolt can be undone by socket easily. 

D. Undo the rear mounting bracket. It should use a 13mm socket. Once it's out, use a 10mm socket to remove the mounting bolts from the back. Remove the heat shield (which connects to the back of the starter, also with a 10mm socket.

E. Remove the connecting wires and electrical components from the starter solenoid. That's the smaller piece that sticks off the side of the starter. 

4. Getting the starter out of the engine bay: For this procedure, you'll need to: 

A. Remove your battery from the tray.

B. Undo the ground wire connection terminal and other wires from their connecting areas to create space for the starter. Take a picture or make note of their placement, then push them to the side. 

C. Remove the starter by slowly walking it out of its housing, moving it forward towards the flywheel, and lifting it out of the engine bay. With enough swearing, it's possible.  

 

Removed starter. It's a chonky unit.

Now you should have your starter out of the car. At this point, you can send it out to get rebuilt, or start installing your remanufactured unit. If you have your old starter, you can use it as a reference guide.

Once you're ready, here's how to reinstall it: 

1. Get the new starter into the engine bay, under the exhaust. Don't mount it yet.

2. Blindly reinstall the mounting bracket that was found towards the back of the unit. Make sure that its mounted with the hardware facing towards the flywheel. This is important because you don't want to do this step twice. You will need to feel around for each mounting hole, as it's impossible to see from your vantage point.

A. Step 2 is the worst part of the repair, so make sure you follow the steps well to avoid any mishaps. 

3. Mount the starter to its core bolts by the flywheel. Carryout in the same procedure as the removal step. Once you have it in place, the rest of the job is super easy.

4. Mount the heat shield to the back of the starter. Then install the retaining bolts onto the back of the starter. 

5. Reconnect the wires back to the solenoid. Make sure your connections are snug and secure. If anything is corroded, use some anticorrosion spray and sandpaper to clean them off.

6. Reconnect the ground wire and other electrical connections to the engine ground mount. 

7. Reconnect your battery. 

8. Start your car!