All Small Six Stuck between the shock tower (rock) and the starter (hard place). SOLVED

[Kritas]

I think the pics are self-explanatory. The headers are from VI, and there's no way to fit them over the top of the the starter. I thought I'd throw the pics out here to see if anyone is aware of a starter that will clear, a technique to make it fit, or even an incantation that might work. The one on the car came with it and looks brand new. After waiting almost 3 months for the exhaust to arrive, this isn't what I wanted to find.

Feel free to ooh and ahh over my new engine paint job.

 

[frozenrabbit]

Can you get the starter back on if you take it off to get the header bolted up?

 

[Kritas]

Can you get the starter back on if you take it off to get the header bolted up?

Maybe, that was going to be the next thing that I try. It'll be tight as hell if it fits. There problem is the "bump" on the top of the starter.

 

[bubba22349]

Yes your engine looks great!

 

[Kritas]

If I remove the starter to make it fit, I'll leave the header bolts loose and see if I can make the whole thing come together.

 

[Kritas]

Ok, that's it. I'm gonna take the Sawzall to the shock tower, cut a chunk out to provide clearance, and weld it back when I'm done!

 

[Kritas]

Looks like I might have to dimple the headers with the old BFH if removing the starter doesn't work.

 

[Soldmy66]

I believe there are mini-starters that could be useful.

 

[Kritas]

I believe there are mini-starters that could be useful.

I looked around, and they're pretty expensive. That'd be a last resort since I already have a new starter.

 

[Soldmy66]

If you should have to dimple your headers, you may want to look for an episode of Engine Maters (I believe that is what it was) - since that indicates that denting headers does not have a material negative impact of performance.

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, did you try the header before the studs were installed? I would start by pulling out the rear ones that are interfering. Good luck

 

[Kritas]

Hi, did you try the header before the studs were installed? I would start by pulling out the rear ones that are interfering. Good luck

That's a great idea. I did look at that, and none of the studs are preventing installation. As things progress, it may become necessary to remove some studs. Since the threads were chased and anti-seize applied before their installation, they are easy to remove and reinstall.

 

[Frank]

That's a great idea. I did look at that, and none of the studs are preventing installation. As things progress, it may become necessary to remove some studs. Since the threads were chased and anti-seize applied before their installation, they are easy to remove and reinstall.

Too bad the starter can't be clocked differently. . Regardless, header wrap is a must with critical components so close. .
And as Soldmy66 pointed out, denting the tube for clearance does not hurt performance. I was as surprised as the guys on the show. They kept wailing away with a hammer and re testing on the dyno. The headers looked like crap at the end, but the stout V8 was not affected.

 

[Kritas]

Too bad the starter can't be clocked differently. . Regardless, header wrap is a must with critical components so close. .

It's a good point about the wrap, and I'm shopping. It's a blessing that I'm not on a timetable with this car. Even with a solid car, every task opens a can of worms given the age of the vehicle and the succession of POs.

 

[Frank]

It's a good point about the wrap, and I'm shopping. It's a blessing that I'm not on a timetable with this car. Even with a solid car, every task opens a can of worms given the age of the vehicle and the succession of POs.

Isn't that the truth! We're in that potentially-annoying-to-everyone-else group of guys who just want it just-so. We go to repair a certian thing, and the eye catches something nearby, and the project list grows rather than diminishes!

 

[Kritas]

Isn't that the truth! We're in that potentially-annoying-to-everyone-else group of guys who just want it just-so. We go to repair a certian thing, and the eye catches something nearby, and the project list grows rather than diminishes!

When I remove something, I want to paint or deal with other things that are more easily accessible "while I'm in there". The idea is that, when I'm done with an area, I'M DONE.

 

[Soldmy66]

I've not done it, but I would expect that you "might" be able to remotely locate the solenoid.

 

[frozenrabbit]

It's all part of the kick out mechanism for the gear, can't be relocated.

 

[Kritas]

I just realized that I'm going to have to paint behind the starter after I pull it and wait for the paint to dry before moving forward.

 

[bubba22349]

You could try unbolting the front engine mounts and raising the engine up some too, until you can get the header on.