1971 dart starter removal

[gzdart]

hi there. im having some problems removing the starter. ive got it unbolted and off, (essentially) but i cant seem to pull it out past the metal lines that run into the radiator. it seems like i could get it out if i unbolt the exhaust from the manifolds, but im trying to make this as painless as possible. any suggestions?

p.s. its a 318 automatic.

 

[67Dart273]

It should come out. Try moving the wheels one way or the other to move the steering linkage.

 

[Badart]

It should come out. Try moving the wheels one way or the other to move the steering linkage.

+1 and put a mini starter back in there

 

[gzdart]

thanks, after posting this i read in another thread to try and turn the wheels to the right. that seems to be the trick, as i remember one of the tie rods was blocking it too. dunno why it didnt occur to me at the moment. i actually went as far as to halfway disassemble the new starter i got to try and see what i could do to pull the old one out/put the new one in. was a total pain seeing as i didnt realize the copper contacts were spring loaded... i had "fun" figuring out how to get that back together. lol. and i would spring for a mini, but arent they made for dakotas? i just dont like putting in parts that werent designed to be there. kinda peevy.

 

[grumpuscreature]

The only reason MaMopar didn't put Dakota starters on Darts is because Darts weren't around when the starter was designed. The Dakota starter was designed to spin an LA small block. Isn't that what you have? If you can get better parts for your Dart, use them. Especially if it doesn't say AC Delco or Motorcraft on it. :wack:

 

[67Dart273]

Actually a mini starter will spin a BB/ RB just fine, too. I guess some guys use em on 426 hemis.

 

[gzdart]

thanks guys, in the future when i do some performance upgrades i will probably opt for a mini starter, but i had already purchased the new one.

all it took was turning the wheels to the right, and thunk, it plopped to the floor like an old turd. thanks for the help.

 

[coffeedart67]

all it took was turning the wheels to the right, and thunk, it plopped to the floor like an old turd. thanks for the help.

It also helps if you have your hand directly under the starter. I replaced a started in a 72 Fury(360)and had to finagle the starter around, stand it on end and it dropped between the tie rod and torsion bar, right on my finger.