repacing starter on a 24v swap

[87e30]

It shouldn't be that hard of a job. Just pull off the intake mani as that gives the most clearance. I also do the opposite of fredk and maybe jack the oil pan slightly and drop the trans mounts to get some clearance at the bottom/trans side.

Then use many many extensions and a ratchet to come in from the transmission tunnel area, get back up to the top, hold the socket in place and use another socket from the engine bay.

Just get creative, if something isn't working for you move shit around.

I hate to say this but I don't really think you needed to pull the stuff out that you did. However, after a couple swaps, tranny swaps, and several starter replacements I've become wayyyy faster than I ever thought possible before. It always takes practice.

[gp.plus]

Take your starter to a machinist and have some helicoils installed instead of the thru bolts. Makes life MUCH better.

I was thinking of doing the opposite, welding nuts on the bell housing, then it could all be done top side.

[Rugbyfan]

I hate to say this but I don't really think you needed to pull the stuff out that you did.

I feel this way too

[Beej '86 325es]

If you've got an early M20 starter, like I used to, the thing is massive and you would have had to pull it from the top side.
I swapped to a late M20 starter...much more manageable, you can do it from the underside.

[MattM]

removing it from the bottom is pretty easy... i can do it without taking anything else off...

trying to install a new one from the bottom = major PITA.... trying to do 3 things with 2 hands.... not impossible though...


easiest to pull intake and do from above

[Rugbyfan]

Rugbyfan:1 Starter:0
After much bitching and moaning, I got the old starter out, and the new one in. Before the exhaust was back on I started it up, open header style. It worked perfectly. In the end, just based off the space that I had, the two stage approach was best, I used about 3 ft of extensions while a buddy guided the socket on.
While I was in there, I clean up a few wires, cleaned my ICV, cleaned and lubed the shift linkage, and generally just poked around. The only casualty was the "Fuel injector protector" ( the little green plastic tip) for cylinder #1. Although after a little bit of research, I doubt it does a whole lot. Thanks for your help, this job was a real bitch!
-Rugbyfan

[TimKninja]

I did my starter in 30 minutes from the top. Just take the intake manifold off. It's right there.