Getting to the starter bolt with the engine in

[Major Woody]

Anyone have any magic suggestions for inserting the top engine mount bolt (the one that passes through the starter) with the engine in place? I simply forgot to put it in place before installing the engine.

I'm not a big dude but I can't make my arm go up there. Not enough elbows, I guess.

Any clever suggestions? I really don't want to pull the engine again.


Thanks!

[Clara]

[Harleyelf]

If you need clearance, drive the two right wheels up on a curb (natures jackstand). If the bolt doesn't go right in, loosen the lower starter bolt a half turn or so. If it spins when you put the nut on, grip the head of the bolt with the tip of a small pair of vise-grips. The tool will lay neatly on top of the starter.

[thericklang]

I had to take my heater box off to get my big hands up there...

[flemcadiddlehopper]

This way may fall under the category of cheating, but...

go to a trailer hitch supply company and get those long wires with a spring looking end. They are made for fishing bolts through holes in frames.

Or wait for geneticists to help you with the extra elbow thing.

Gordo.
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[KevinAlbrecht]

[RPGreg2600]

[peaceful warrior]

[Sniperx]

6'1" and I have larger hands (shoot a 45 double stack easily) and I am able to snake my hand in there to push the bolt through. You'll want to lie on the ground with head towards front and just find the way in. Once you do it tou'll be amazed how easy it is to get a hold of. Then you forget exactly how you did it last time and make anOther thread about it.

It can be done. I do mine with no jacks and heaters installed.

[peaceful warrior]

[Clara]

[Clara]

[Major Woody]

I will try raising the bus up a few inches more and try again tonight.


I don't want to have to dig through the parts list for this answer--are there supposed to be washers under the nuts? Mine had none--just D-head bolts and nuts.

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

[peaceful warrior]

[cdennisg]

I've never seen a washer under that starter/mount bolt/nut. But I have seen them on the two bottom mount nuts. These were on engines that appeared to have been original, and possibly never previously removed form the car.

If you have the later style D-bolt, and a 12 volt starter, I think you may have to loosen the lower starter mounting bolt to give enough clearance for the long bolt to pass through. As I recall, it will not go through with the starter bolted up tight. the bolt head hits the outer starter casing, and prevents the bolt from fitting through the hole.

I like to use some plumber's putty under the head of the D-bolt to hold it in place while I start the nut from the engine compartment. Then a ratcheting box end 17mm to finish it off.
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nothing

[crofty]

Everyones a critic.

[Clara]

I like to use washers under the nuts.

I've never had to loosen up the lower starter nut to fit the upper starter bolt.
I did have a bus where I had to make sure the upper left bolt was through before I snugged the lower nuts.
It was only that one bus, but it was definately like that.

As you put that starter bolt in place, hug your transmission.
It needs love too.

Then give your sweetie a hug, cause you'll smell good, like gear oil.

[Major Woody]

Heh.
I found after snugging the lower nuts that the upper left bolt now won't line up with the threaded insert in the case, so I'll need to loosen them anyway. I'll put washers on them at that time, just because.
Somehow I misplaced that cap screw, too. M10 X 7cm...hope they have those at the hardware store.

[quartermilecamel]

I put rtv under the head of the D nut, and some on the nut shaft. When its broken loose next time, it didnt have the ease of sliding out when I tried to nut it. Really havnt put any on that bolt since. Theres still enough rtv to make it have a rubbery grip on its suroundings.
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Waiting for santa to drop off funky green. I can wish can't I????

[Erik G]

yall are a lot smarter than one of the previous owners of my truck. I can't think why else they would have done this