Hey, complicated question. I’m replacing the starter on my ‘68 lesabre, and I’m having a hell of a time. I removed the two underside bolts, but it wouldn’t come out. It came loose and I removed the tranny dust cover and it swung free, but still wouldn’t come down. After some research I found occasional mention of a third, hidden bolt on the starter, in the position where the starter is swiveling around. Sadly, people claim the entire engine has to be jacked and the exhaust manifolds removed to access this bolt. One guy claimed he managed to get it without this process, but with no mention how. I was wondering if any of you fellas had some experience with the problem, and this brutal “third bolt”.
on the top of the starter there is a bracket, One bolt goes into the block, the other into the starter. You to remove one of those bolts. It's tight getting in there, but can be done. I'll see if I can find a picture of it.
This is the bracket and where it is located. I am sure you should be able to get a socket on the bolt on the block side. Condition/corrosion will be the biggest concern.
Thanks guys, I appreciate it a lot. So you think I should go for the block side bolt? And do you have any memory of what kind of tool I should use to get it, IE does a ratchet socket or standard wreck work better.
There's some additional pics in this for sale ad. I used 1/4 drve to get mine out. http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/starter-brace-bracket-and-bolt.351422/
Did you go for the starter or engine bolt? I’ve spent about 4-5 hours under this thing in the last day trying to figure this out and want to minimize my further effort, lol.
Also, do any of you think I should replace it when I’m done? Could I use it for a while before I get around to replacing it, or do I even need to replace it at all. Seems to me the starter only needs 2 bolts.
I think the 1965 300's used similar 3rd bolt, and there was room to go in from the top with a socket on a long extension, between exhaust manifold and block IIRC.
Hard to find them with that bracket/bolt still there. Most people chuck them when they finally get that blasted thing loose.
If you jack it up and remove the motor mount, which only takes 15 minutes or so, it's a lot easier. Be sure to block the engine up with wooden blocks. All these other methods work too. It would be good to put one of the lower bolts back in to support it while you remove the bracket bolt.
Thanks for all the help everyone! I got it off, and wanna say that it can be done, relatively easily actually, with a 1/4th drive socket ratchet extended to the perfect length. I might make a forum post later detailing the exact extension length and technique I used. Regardless, the pictures and explanations were a lifesaver. Thanks again!
Good job, I just went through this with my 68 LeSabre 350. I pulled the engine with that bracket holding the starter just because I was not sure how to get at it ...till the engine was up in the air and I could get a swivel socket on it with a long extension. Glad you got er done.
Sometimes you have to modify one of your tools to get the job done, get creative I know I did with the infamous lower middle bolt on headers for a Buick
