just a little help
#3193725
11/27/23 06:54 PM
11/27/23 06:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,173 Central Louisiana
jim
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,173
Central Louisiana
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Hey guys, I've been gone from the board for bit. The Dart has been sitting in a concrete parking structure for the past 4 years slowly falling apart. Due to health, several operations and other boring facts, I have just recently started to try to get her back in drivable condition. As I am older and now retired, I am restricted in how much I can do. Just put rear brakes and cylinders on the car. Got it to roll and then suffered a setback when some thieves broke into the garage and stole the Crager.SS wheels and Firehawk tires. Put a set of spare old wheels on just to get it pulled home. Now my need for help. The starter has gone south. With the help of a friend and my grandson-in-law I am needing to replace it. The older header traps the starter. Plus has the steering running between the rear tubes The wiring has gotten crispy as well. I am contemplating replacing the headers by cutting them off, and going with a new type mini starter. What brand will not trap the new starter, allow for easier installation and clear the power steering and auto trans. linkage the best? Of the tree of us attempting the work, only one of us (me) has done automotive work. The car has lots of refreshing that needs to be done, new fuel tank, rag joint, maybe front brake cylinders, replacing stolen tires and wheels. And getting it to run of course. What do you think?
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Re: just a little help
[Re: jim]
#3193767
11/27/23 09:00 PM
11/27/23 09:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,292 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,292
Bend,OR USA
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What year Dart and motor is in it?
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: just a little help
[Re: jim]
#3193770
11/27/23 09:12 PM
11/27/23 09:12 PM
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12,244 Looking for a way out of Middl...
IMGTX
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12,244
Looking for a way out of Middl...
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I feel your pain. I had a Charger BB that had a similar problem. If you are going to replace it with a mini-starter then do like CYACOP suggested and disassemble the current starter in the car. There are two 3/8" bolts on the back Remove them and the rear comes loose. You can move the rear housing back a little and another bolt will disconnect the field windings from the front half of the starter. The armature is long but just slides out and since you are going to replace the starter don't be afraid to cut anything that is tying it together. As for the best Mini Starter I have been using the later model mopar starters from the 90's. I'm sure other people have a better brand. If that doesn't work then it looks like unbolting the header from the exhaust and cylinder head may be the first step. I also had to loosen the motor mount and raise the engine and unbolt the power steering too, just to get it to move out of the way enough to get the big starter in or out on my old Charger. Good Luck.
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Re: just a little help
[Re: 6PakBee]
#3193848
11/28/23 10:47 AM
11/28/23 10:47 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,615 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,615
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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I don't want to be burned at the stake but with your current health and abilities, unless this is some kind of competition car I'd cut those headers out of there and go back to the stock cast iron 360 HP manifolds. Your current problem would go away and future problems won't exist. I too would get rid of the headers. On my big block Dart I used a couple of long extensions to the front of the engine and was able to get the starter bolts out...
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
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Re: just a little help
[Re: Rhinodart]
#3193853
11/28/23 11:14 AM
11/28/23 11:14 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,391 St. Charles, MO
wingman
Uncreative Title
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Uncreative Title
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,391
St. Charles, MO
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I don't want to be burned at the stake but with your current health and abilities, unless this is some kind of competition car I'd cut those headers out of there and go back to the stock cast iron 360 HP manifolds. Your current problem would go away and future problems won't exist. I too would get rid of the headers. On my big block Dart I used a couple of long extensions to the front of the engine and was able to get the starter bolts out... I took manifolds off my "cruise around town" car and put headers on years ago. Sure, there was a difference in the seat-of-the pants driving. But it was not worth all the headaches that go with headers--especially on a big block. Captured starters, exhaust leaks, coolant leaks, burned plug wires and starter wires, high underhood temps, rusty tubes, poor spark plug access, etc. I have HP manifolds on my current car and I don't miss the headaches of headers.
1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 383 A4 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 440 FC7 (sold)
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