as ugly as this sounds i can't get my starter in, ive been on my back for like 2 hours on this, i just put long tubes into the car, and im trying to get the starter in, and i can't get it lined up, is there a trick to it or just point and shoot? I know this is an ugly thread, but i am frustrated and my arms are all rubbery now, im on my back in a dirt driveway, and this is the only thing in my way of starting the car right now, thus adding to my frustration. Anybody have any thoughts, i have a running bet that i would have this thing running for tuesday, and im afraid if i can't get this in then i lose the bet.... btw, the bet is with my friend who is a pontiac guy, and if i lose i have to wear a pontiac emblem on a chain in public, if i win, he has to put a 'buick performance' banner accross the windshield of his transam for a while, so stakes arent high, just our pride on the line. like I said, any input would be appreciated, and if any help is possible, that would be greatly appreciated too!!!! :beer
did you try to loosen up the header bolts so you have alittle more room that may help some if not you may have to take all the bolts out except the font one and install the starter
Is it actually hitting the header? Try lifting and holding it with a hydraulic jack. It's no fun having your arms spaz out while you lay on your back. Just watch out as falling starters can hit you in the face.
yeah, i was thinking about throwing a jack under it, i wasnt too excited about having one fall on my face. no, its not hitting the header, i just can't get it to line up right.
What isn't lining up right? Is the starter all the way up against the bellhousing or are you have a problem getting it forward far enough? Is it the bolts that are not taking after you get the starter up in the hole? I had mine out recently to fit a heat shield so I know pretty much what you are trying to do. I also was on my back in the dirt. Are they TA headers? There shouldn't be any real trick to it though, other than the heavy part and lying on your back in the dirt thing p
yeah, they are ta longtubes, i figured there isnt gonna be a trick to it, tomorrow morning im gonna start cracking on it again, i think im gonna get a little jack to hold it up while i wiggle it around in there, i just cant get the small bolt to line up in the hole properly.
Ditch that great big heavy starter & use a small gear drive, you can put one of those in there & hookup wires with one hand scratching your azz at same time.
:laugh: i know ive been thinking about it a lot, but i HAVE to get this car started today or I lose the bet....and it looks like its about to start RAINING!!!!!!!NOOOOOO. If i don't get it started somehow today, i will most probably get the mini starter from ta performance.
mini-starter ok,now ill jump in here :laugh: $145+shipping,usually 12-15 bux :TU: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=15678&page=1&pp=25
Consider a starter..... from Jamie of this board. Excellent product and I believe much cheaper than TA performance!
I don't think not being able to line up a bolt is a very good reason to drop $150 on a new starter but, it is a nice looking piece Is there a shim that is getting in the way? You could stick a screwdriver up into the hole to try and get the alignment right. o No: Can you shine a light up there and see if it is lined up? If you can get one bolt in, you have got to be close.....don't lose that bet man :beer
that certainly is a nice peice, but i agree, i can't spend 150 dollars because of wiggly arm syndrome. the sun is starting to come out, im gonna use a jack to hold it up, and im going to use a ......dont let this leave this thread......but im going to use a chopstick or something to line up the bolt holes. :error:
honestly,i wouldnt replace it based on wiggly arm syndrome either :laugh: just wanted to stop you before you spent $289+ship from someone else.see,i was trying to SAVE you money.there isnt any trick to getting it in,i just had to fight one in on a 79 tubo(same starter)it was a pita & i had it on a lift :error: good luck & win that bet :TU:
down the road, i definately agree that is a much better deal than the TA one though. im gonna go outside now, wish me luck guys.
ugh. update...i got the starter in...but after the car NOT STARTING!!!! i took it back out to play with the wires, i am getting absolutely nothing, my dash lights are coming on, and my headlights turn on, but other than that NOTHING, not a single noise or anything, so im charging the battery as i type hoping that is the issue, if its not that, then im out of ideas, ive checked all my connections. I have the starter out of the car right now, but wired up, i can check if its getting anything by simply trying to crank it right? the starter should spin if its getting anything right?
update: fail. brought the battery to autozone, its fine. brought the starter to pep boys, its fine. i have some seriously electrical crap going on in my car, and i don't know what to do.
i just dont know, everything appears to be perfect pretty much. My headlights turn on and what not, would that be a good sign that everything is grounded? I just don't know what i could be missing.
