artugio

Okay, so i'm in a bit of a pickle.

About a month and a half ago, I removed the starter from my 76 f150. It came out relatively easily but getting it in has proved to be more difficult because of the manifold hugging the block. I figure the only way to get a starter in and the truck running again is through pulling the manifold out, putting the starter in, and then just praying we can get the manifold in properly and bolt it back on.

The issue here is that I do not know how to remove the manifold. It gets caught where the starter and flywheel meet and it's pretty tough to move it around once it's in.

Any help here would be appreciated because fixing the pick up is now becoming a more urgent issue. What I mean by this is that I'm coming to a point where I have to choose between a car that could break down any day and the pick up that could also break down but is much simpler to work on and is mechanically more sound in terms of wiring/leaks etc. So, regardless of choice, the pick up needs to be running before I could consider selling it. If you need pictures to give me a more accurate idea of what I need to get done, then let me know and I can get a few shots.

Thanks

EDIT: I misspoke. Title should read Exhaust Manifold Removal

burnthelight88

To start, do not remove the exhaust or I can almost guarantee that you will create much more work for yourself. Removing the exhaust usually means risking breaking off bolts in the head which requires head removal and machining. Even if you can get the exhaust off, I don't think you can put it back in with the starter in place.

If you got the starter out with the manifolds in place, you can get the starter back in as long as you are using a starter of the same size and the same hardware.

As an alternative, they sell aftermarket very reliable starters for these that I believe are also significantly smaller than the stock starter if that's what you're trying to reinstall.

artugio

I had to disconnect the exhaust anyways as the starter was locked in place by the manifold so it's just dangling loose. I didn't figure I would need to pull the manifold out because it seemed too narrow and I was afraid of breaking fluid lines that run right underneath the exhaust pipes.

I guess I'll just need to somehow force that starter in there. Do you have any links to the smaller starters you're talking about?

burnthelight88

PMGR starter upgrade from PA Performance. Below is a linked article where all the 5.0 mustang nuts are doing it. It also shows side by side the size comparison in the pics. So it's an upgrade and its smaller. There is a slight wiring mod required because our trucks have the fender solenoid. Easy to accomplish though and the article outlines how to do it. I'd check it out.

http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-to/engine/mdmp-0811-pmgr-starter-upgrade/

artugio

Do those work for something like a 390? It mentions in the article it's for small-block fords. That does appear to be the perfect size though....

burnthelight88

I believe that they are interchangeable, but perhaps checking would be best. "Big block" "small block" are mostly chevy words, Ford didnt' use them in their own literature that I'm aware of. That being said, when Ford enthusiasts use the term, the only "big block" I'm aware of in their speak is the 460.

See if you can find a customer service number, or even easier call your local parts store and see if the starter part number is the same between a 302 and a 390 of a similar year. My bet is they are and you'll be fine.

artugio

Yeah, I'm starting to think that may be my only bet. I sat under my truck for a good hour and a half today trying to brute force the big 20 lb starter and it just doesn't seem like I could do it short of lifting the engine out of the truck.

The only issue I could foresee would be a bolt configuration thing with the mini starter and the big one. I went to NAPA and they said they didn't have the same part # unfortunately.. just some for some 289s and some inline sixes. The hunt continues

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

A gear reduction mini starter would be easier - but if the original fit a (same) new one will fit. It could be the awkwardness of how you're trying to do it ?
If you can't find a better position to reach it from maybe you have to pull the inner fender to get at it easier.
That seems a little extreme, but....

artugio

The way we got it out the first time was basically by brute force. Lots of cussing, lots of very aggressive jamming down on it to pop it out. Not so easy to do that going in because pulling is much easier than pushing. Lol.

I think a mini-starter is just the best bet, I don't want to leave it sitting any longer and I don't want to have to go through the process of trying to brute force another starter in and out if it dies...