how to reach top starter bolt?

[Golf Time]

I am trying to change the starter on an 86 continental and the top bolt seems just impossible to reach. it's positioned at 12:00 above the starter and there is exhaust and car frame all around it. I can feel the bolt head with my fingers but there just seems like no way to reach it from underneath. Any suggestions?

[John Diehl]

BigMac did a wonderful post with pictures and full procedure on May 24. Look it up - worth the effort. If it isn't archived or you can't find it, email me and I'll send you a copy.

[ekooke]

That's in the TECH section now.

[pro-five-oh]

BigMac's post is for the Town Car, the 1986 Continental is like the Mark VII.

I did the starter swap (no fun) and if I remember correctly you have to use a few LONG extension wrenches and slide it through a crossmember to reach that bolt.

Do a search in the Mark VII board and the archives to find some more info. smile.gif

[ekooke]

??? I changed the starter on my '90 Mark VII in '98, but don't remember any problem with getting the top bolt out. I think I just used a box-end wrench: I'll have to take notes the next time I do something under there.

[pro-five-oh]

Ekooke: yours was easy because it was a different starter! The 1990-up models had the high-torque (gear reduction?) starter motors, that are a good bit smaller than the old school Ford starters.

There are two different older-model Ford starters, I think the 86 Conti starter is smaller/easier than the one I had to put on my 83 Conti. :eek:

[ekooke]

Pro-five-oh,
That explains it then; I didn't think my memory has gotten that bad (but how would I know/remember for sure?). I do vividly remember forking over $200+ dollars for a re-manufactured (by Bosch) starter, PLUS another $100 core charge before I could leave the parts store with it! smile.gif Well, it's been 5+ years since I did it, so that's only about a dime a day, and it still cranks fine.

[pro-five-oh]

Ouch! I knew those things were pricey!

$30+ core for my old school 1983 starter! Worked great for about 6 years before the car (by no fault of its own) became a garage ornament. Wheeeeeee! :rolleyes: