How hard is it to change a starter in a 340 Duster?

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I’ve been working on my 340 Plymouth Duster for almost a year and I’m pretty sure the only thing stopping me from cranking it is the starter. I will be removing the old one and installing the new one tomorrow and I’m wondering how long it will take and how difficult it will be. I’ve never changed a starter before, but there’s tons of resources online, so I don’t think it’s going to be too hard. I am just worried I’m going to have to take a bunch of stuff off to be able to remove the old one. Thanks!
Check the other post below about starter relay also. No use changing out what may be a good starter when it could be something else. Always check the simple things first.
Tell me more about the problem. Is the battery fully charged? Auto or manual trans? ANy column or wiring mods? Will the starter make a noise at all?
I am a retired USPS mechanic and also have a 73 Dart Sport myself that I am restoring. I'll try and help.
 
The bong hits are catching up to him.
In between bong hits (that's a joke!) I put together this little set of Critters for mini starters. That little one for the little wire is a 17/64's and the other one is a 12 mm.
Those two old tools stay black taped together and are used for one thing only.
That's J pars top tip of the day!
Back to your regularly scheduled bong hit LOL you guys kill me oh yeah and two wires and two bolts damn it!
IMG_20180324_201232.jpg
 
You may need to steer the steering arm to get the clearance to allow the starter to drop.

Alan
 
In between bong hits (that's a joke!) I put together this little set of Critters for mini starters. That little one for the little wire is a 17/64's and the other one is a 12 mm.
Those two old tools stay black taped together and are used for one thing only.
That's J pars top tip of the day!
Back to your regularly scheduled bong hit LOL you guys kill me oh yeah and two wires and two bolts damn it!
View attachment 1715157156
I Like that. Do you have the Snapon part number for that kit? LOL
 
I give too much too common human intelligence.
It seems like we live in an age where someone needs every last detail of how something is done in order to even get it started. (And I'm not saying the original poster was saying that either-disclaimer) A starter is definitely 101 of mechanics. If the worst case scenario it was taken out and when taken down to be replaced at any parts store he can have it bench tested. There's almost no worst case scenario here. What if he took it out and had it bench tested and it was good? He would learn another 101 lesson in mechanics LOL
 
I give too much too common human intelligence.
It seems like we live in an age where someone needs every last detail of how something is done in order to even get it started. (And I'm not saying the original poster was saying that either-disclaimer) A starter is definitely 101 of mechanics. If the worst case scenario it was taken out and when taken down to be replaced at any parts store he can have it bench tested. There's almost no worst case scenario here. What if he took it out and had it bench tested and it was good? He would learn another 101 lesson in mechanics LOL
solid point
 
I give too much too common human intelligence.
It seems like we live in an age where someone needs every last detail of how something is done in order to even get it started. (And I'm not saying the original poster was saying that either-disclaimer) A starter is definitely 101 of mechanics. If the worst case scenario it was taken out and when taken down to be replaced at any parts store he can have it bench tested. There's almost no worst case scenario here. What if he took it out and had it bench tested and it was good? He would learn another 101 lesson in mechanics LOL

True, unless you have to change a starter with headers on. I know I have to drop the coolant, pull off the collector, loosen the 3-5 pipes, take off the number 7 pipe, pull the Z bar, raise the engine, throw some tools, slam you hand in the door a few times to get good and pissed and then you turn the wheel at the way to the right (or left, I forget until I get under there) and drop the starter.

Then you have to reverse all that to put the starter back in. I don't use cheap starters.
 
If he's been working on this for a year and one thing left to do is change the starter! Then yes for goodness sakes, it's two wires and two bolts!
 
If he's been working on this for a year and one thing left to do is change the starter! Then yes for goodness sakes, it's two wires and two bolts!
Goodness, you are starting to sound like RRR :D
 
pm me
Check the other post below about starter relay also. No use changing out what may be a good starter when it could be something else. Always check the simple things first.
Tell me more about the problem. Is the battery fully charged? Auto or manual trans? ANy column or wiring mods? Will the starter make a noise at all?
I am a retired USPS mechanic and also have a 73 Dart Sport myself that I am restoring. I'll try and help.
 
I’ve been working on my 340 Plymouth Duster for almost a year and I’m pretty sure the only thing stopping me from cranking it is the starter. I will be removing the old one and installing the new one tomorrow and I’m wondering how long it will take and how difficult it will be. I’ve never changed a starter before, but there’s tons of resources online, so I don’t think it’s going to be too hard. I am just worried I’m going to have to take a bunch of stuff off to be able to remove the old one. Thanks!
You disagree with me! And the great J fart! LOL
EDIT: CRAP!! VOICE COMMAND! Jpar!
 
Disagree with him, Dakota. Tell him, he is being a bully. When somebody says "what do i have to do to replace the oil pump"? just say "Two bolts". :D
 
I' with YR on this. In my car its about the hardest job you can ask for.
Step 1. Drain coolant.
2. Unbolt Driver side motor mount.
3. Unbolt Driver side header.
4. Raise engine.
5 fight the headder off the studs.
6 unbolt the Adel clamps that keep the starter hot wire off the header.
7. Unbolt starter, roll starter over so I can reach the wires and remove.

Oh yeah my car is a race car so it has a battery disconnet but don't forget to remove the hot wire off the battery before you weld the ratchet to the exhaust.... also raise the car and Jack stand the front so you can even get under the car....

Almost forgot, I also pull the pin on the steering box and slide the shaft up into the car for more room. I don't have a collum so it'
Just the one pin and It out of my way.

It sucks bad....
 
I didn’t have to remove the headers to take the old starter off, but I did to put the new one on. Thanks for all the advice!
 
I got the starter on and it fixed my problem. I was not able to crank it using the key though. A friend showed me a way to crank it from under the hood. I used a long wire and put one end on the positive terminal and the other on a wire that I’m guessing went to the starter. It still did not crank, but it was trying to. The starter works now, but the old one did not. I think I need to set the timing because it tries to crank, but it’s just making loud banging noises from the engine and the distributor shakes a little.
 
I got the starter on and it fixed my problem. I was not able to crank it using the key though. A friend showed me a way to crank it from under the hood. I used a long wire and put one end on the positive terminal and the other on a wire that I’m guessing went to the starter. It still did not crank, but it was trying to. The starter works now, but the old one did not. I think I need to set the timing because it tries to crank, but it’s just making loud banging noises from the engine and the distributor shakes a little.
Your probably talking about a backfire noise. May be a timing issue. Can you email me a short video of it trying to start?
 
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