1993 Grand Marquis starter removal

[Donal]

Well, it's that time again. Replaced the starter on this 1993 gm 4.6 about a year and a half ago. Wound up taking it in to a garage to have it done. Starter has gone bad. The good part is, it's still under warranty and will be a free starter. Bad part is, have to be able to get it changed out. Would like to do this myself, but can't seem to find a hole to get thru to that top bolt. Is there something needs removed to allow access to that top bolt? Any help is appreciated.

Don.

[SVT98t]

If you're taking the old one out, you can remove the solinoid. It makes it a bit easier on removal.
Unfortunately, you can't do that on install.

-ryan s.

[Donal]

Thought I'd give an update on the starter change out. Never did find any kind of hole near the fan shroud , or anywhere else. Ended up going at it pretty much straight on. Used a 1/4 inch drive ratchet with a 10mm deep well for the two upper bolts. Slow, slow , work. Took the one support brace loose on the passenger side. That had four 15mm bolts holding it in. That cleared a little bit of space. Noticed the one 10mm bolt that was hardest to get to , was hardly screwed in at all. Don't know if it worked it's way out , or the mechanic just neglected to screw it in. Anyway, when I got the starter out, I took it to Autozone and they bench tested it. It tested fine. I had already bought the replacement starter yesterday, so went ahead and did the warranty thing and got my money back. When I put the new starter on, I got the one top bolt, the hard one, all in, but for about 1/4 inch. I was afraid of stripping the head of the bolt, and was kinda uncertain of what was going on with the threads, so I just left it go. Did I mention that it was only about 20 degrees and I'm freezing my toes off? I had the front end of the car in the garage, the rest was in the drive and of course the door was open. Anyhow, I got it back together and it turned right over and started right up. Tried it several times and had no problem. Hopefully, I'm done fooling with it for awhile. Hopefully , it's done fooling with me for awhile. Nice car. Nice car.

[sly]

do try to get that last bolt all the way in when you get a chance though. It would suck having something go wrong and something sheering there (highly doubtful, but still)

[SVT98t]

This where I say I only have the bottom bolt installed and it's been ok for the last 5Xk miles. But I wouldn't trust it if I were you.

-ryan s.

[Lincolnmania]

i say use loctite on the other two lol
that third bolt is a mofo, when we built slymers vic the third bolt was missing already

[SVT98t]

+1 to loctite-ing the other two. At the time, I had gone through 4 starts over 3 years and was tired of constantly changing them out.

-ryan s.

[Donal]

At some time, I figure on giving the one bolt another go, and see if it will screw on in. Or , might just use some spacer washers and tighten it down.

Don.

[Donal]

Was going thru the threads and saw this. To update, the last time I had the starter out, I put all the bolts back in, screwed all the way in. Wasn't really that big a deal. Used a small 1/4" ratchet with a deep well socket.
Don.