How to change the starter...without frustration?

[gordyzx9r]

Alright, I know where the starter is (which is probably step one).  I can even get all the wires off of it (which is probably step two).  But I can't get to the fucking bolt that sits up above the crossover pipe...WTF?  How do I get to that thing without removing the crossover pipe, I have little to no knock right now and don't want to go screwing up how the exhaust is mounted.  BTW...it's an ATR crossover.  All I want to do is put in a mini-starter...but no, it's never easy.  So I put all the wires back on it...and thankfully it started again (well, it should I guess since it's a perfectly good starter...I just want to mount this nifty new mini-starter).

The alternator was surprisingly simple to change out.  Almost scary, it was so simple...somet hing ain't right...the car is going to explode now isn't it?

Supersix...do I get extra points for posting this here and not in the shoutbox?

[SuperSix]

Alright, I know where the starter is (which is probably step one).

[gordyzx9r]

Yeah...the crossover is sitting about one and a half inches below the starter bolt which is making it difficult to get a socket and driver on it.  I'm thinking maybe a crows foot or something.  I'll have to check out Sears to see if they have some kind of wonder tool or something.

[SuperSix]

Maybe a Gearwrench?

I wonder if you will be able to remove the bolt once it's loose given the little clearance you have.

[gordyzx9r]

I shouldn' have to remove the bolt all the way, just as long as it's out of the nut plate. Once I remove the other bolt I should just be able to reposition the starter a bit and then get the bolt out the rest of the way.  Or something.

[SuperSix]

I shouldn' have to remove the bolt all the way, just as long as it's out of the nut plate. Once I remove the other bolt I should just be able to reposition the starter a bit and then get the bolt out the rest of the way.

[gordyzx9r]

Acetylene torch?

[gordyzx9r]

The dilemma...

[Recklessrob]

I used an extension with a universal socket on the end. I't worked fine.

[DCEPTCN]

Gordy, FWIW- I've twice had to undertake the unenviable taof changing my starter and -based on my experience- there is no way to avoid Excedrin headache #666. I've both times loosened the crossover and disconnected the trans fluid lines. Have two Ziploc/sandwich bags handy to affix to those lines with a rubber band before you've got tranny fluid all over the damn place. Also- be EXTREMELY cautious that you don't tug on those fusible links......I've been there and that sucks worse than I can describe.

[gordyzx9r]

Screw it, I'll pay someone to suffer the frustration for me.

[DCEPTCN]

Screw it, I'll pay someone to suffer the frustration for me.

When one can afford it, that's probably the best way to go. As I alluded to above, I messed up one of my fusible links while under there and the cost to have a mechanic fix that was about what I would have payed to just have him change the starter in the first place.