Hey everyone! Swapped out the starter with one from rock auto brand was Remy. It works great, but I could not get the top bolt in. Must’ve been all around it and just could find the hole so I left out. I read that some people leave it out because of the pita placement. I did wrench the bottom 2 down pretty good.
Whatcha all think?
I would hate for the starter to chew up the flywheel!
Thanks

 

I think if Ford thought 2 bolts was sufficient they'd come from the factory that way. 50 cents a bolt plus 50 cents to put it in times a million vehicles is still serious money. Figure out how to get it back in.

 

Thank you! your reply stuck in my head, so today i crawled under and was able after much manuvering able to wrench it down.
Had a very hard time getting positioned with my left finger by the hole and my right hand holding a 4” extension with a 13mm socket on the end secured with a little electrical tape to keep the socket from falling.
Thanks

 

I'm happy I could be of assistance. I know exactly how much of a ***** it is. I've got a 2008 in my shop right now with the engine out waiting on parts. I got the starter out a long time ago and subsequently lifted the cab. I intend to put the starter back in before I drop the cab. In fact I intend to do absolutely everything possible before I drop the cab.

 

Follow up: I just did the starter install on my project truck. Since posting on your thread I've been thinking a lot about that top bolt and here's what I came up with, which actually worked really well. It worked so well in fact that I came in the house for a cup of coffee and piece of Saskatoon berry pie to celebrate.

Before I ever pushed the starter up into that cave I stuck the top bolt in its hole with the thread just barely showing on the transmission side. Then I wrapped a single turn of 18 gauge bare stranded wire around the bolt to hold it in place. With the bolt in place I shoved the starter up where the Ford injuneers designed it to go and then started a bolt on one of the bottom holes to hold everything in alignment. After that it was relatively simple to start the top bolt and then line up the exact right amount of 1/4 extensions to tighten it from behind the starter. I wouldn't say it was easy but it certainly wasn't the worst project I've ever tackled on a Ford. Maybe someone else will find your thread and benefit from this.

BTW - having the cab off was exactly zero help with this project. The only benefit was that I could spray some weasel **** in the bolt holes from the wrong side but as far as assistance with getting the starter in place --- NADA.

 

I get it, you put the bolt in the starter and used the wire to just barely hold it from falling out with very little threads coming out toward the block . You made it a temp captive bolt with the thin copper wire . Good idea .If we own these trucks long enough we will be there sooner or later .