DROP or NOT?

mtbguy · 10-15-2007, 11:48 AM

Okay everyone, I've searched a bit on the forum and seem to be hearing different opinions. The car is an 1987 Carrera (G-50) cab (former garage queen) with 37k on it now. The starter is acting up occasionally and slowly trending towards getting worse.

I had my engine rebuilt this summer and thought about replacing the starter when it was out, but it was working fine. My battery is about 9 mos. old and terminal contacts are clean and tight.

Recently it is starting to act as if the solenoid is slowly going bad, hanging up occasionally, sticking/screeching- seems to be worse in the warm months when heat soaked after driving. It seems as if replacing the starter sometime this winter will prevent problems next summer, as it seems to very slowly, gradually getting more frequent. It did give me a screech the other day when it was a cold start though. Often if you release key and try it a second time it is completely normal.

Do I HAVE TO do a partial engine drop or not to get at the bolt on top of the starter? I am kicking myself now for not replacing it when it would have been so easy, and I did most of the other preventative maintenance things at that time.

Any of you tried it without the drop? For those who did drop the transmission, how many hours time (approximate) for a two wrench kind of DIY home mechanic?

Thanks!

Nine, Frau! · 10-15-2007, 11:55 AM

How come you rebuilt a 37K mile motor?

mtbguy · 10-15-2007, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nine, Frau!

How come you rebuilt a 37K mile motor?

Broken oil ring causing 400mile/QT oil consumption- also valve guides not in the best of shape.

Zef · Zef's Garage

You don't need to drop engine to get access to the top bolt of starter. I removed mine and just need an extension to reach that bolt.
My Starter

dtw · 10-15-2007, 12:03 PM

I've replaced starter w/o a drop albeit on 915-equipped cars. Figure half-a-day max for first-time out DIY. I've done it in half that though.

mtbguy · 10-15-2007, 12:12 PM

This info is encouraging, I'm hoping that it will still be applicable to the car with a G-50 in it. Thanks!

jester911 · jester911's Garage

Do a search. I am pretty sure John Walker gave instruction on how to do it on a G50 car. I did mine but it is a 915 as well. Bear hug the tranny time.

dtw · 10-15-2007, 12:19 PM

Rick - having said that, dropping the engine a few inches for more access isn't usually that difficult.

sjf911 · sjf911's Garage

The Bentley Manual shows a partial drop of the transmission to get to the starter.

hcoles · 10-15-2007, 04:32 PM

drop a few inches not difficult as mentioned above... I don't know if necessary but you may want to detach the shift linkage.. I can't remember but it didn't seem there where any issues...of course careful check all around is in order as you drop.. I don't even remember if I took the bolts out of the cv joints but I might have... I try to be conservative.. if you can get to the bolts on the starter then don't drop.... also I put in a new OEM type starter when I did my top end...then I read there is some sort of Japanese (Nippondenso?) very much better and cheaper starter... you may be able to search and track down that info.

88911coupe · 10-16-2007, 09:17 AM

Partial drop is easy and makes this job a LOT easier. BTDT

jevvy · 10-17-2007, 07:33 AM

+ 1 on the partial drop of the gbox to make things easier - also consider a lighweight starter(do a search) as they are smaller and easier to get to the top bolt I would imagine.

Zeke · 10-17-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcoles

drop a few inches not difficult as mentioned above... I don't know if necessary but you may want to detach the shift linkage.. I can't remember but it didn't seem there where any issues...of course careful check all around is in order as you drop.. I don't even remember if I took the bolts out of the cv joints but I might have... I try to be conservative.. if you can get to the bolts on the starter then don't drop.... also I put in a new OEM type starter when I did my top end...then I read there is some sort of Japanese (Nippondenso?) very much better and cheaper starter... you may be able to search and track down that info.

Well, you can do a partial drop in two fashions: detach the front mounts or the rear mounts. Which do you guys prefer? Bentley says front. If doing the front, you will have to disconnect the linkage(s) plus the sway bar, heater ducts, then unbolt the crossmember. Lower engine 6" and there's your starter.