Another reason to hate GM

[rp23g7]

So, my son has a 79 Monte Carlo. He calls me today, i think my starter is dead, says it makes a weird noise. I go check it out. I turn the key, whirrrr. Hmm sounds like the starter is freewheeling.

Clink, hmmm look under the car, a bolt is laying there.

Rear under and look at it, broken off right at the threads, apparently the other one is gone. !@#$#

Time for some punching and tapping and easy-outing

[RD]

or demolishing and scrapping and buying a mopar

[Red Ram]

That's pretty bad for a car that's only 31 years old.

[elacruze]

Very common problem.
When you buy replacement bolts, be sure to get GM Starter bolts. They are specific to the starter. If you use anything else, you're asking for a repeat. Use blue loctite on them too, get the correct torque spec and torque them properly. Done right they'll stay forever, done any other way may get you a repeat.

[rp23g7]

Very common problem.
When you buy replacement bolts, be sure to get GM Starter bolts. They are specific to the starter. If you use anything else, you're asking for a repeat. Use blue loctite on them too, get the correct torque spec and torque them properly. Done right they'll stay forever, done any other way may get you a repeat.

Looks like the shop monkey that put the new one on, didnt attach the L bracket, so vibration got to it.  After 30 yrs or so of working on cars, i cant seem to recall replacing many Ford or Chrylser starters, tons of GMs though.  My friends sister had a 73 Nova, had to replace its starter twice in 4 yrs or so, in the Kmart parking lot at 9 at night under a street light, what fun

[Troy]

I had to replace the starter in my first 68 Charger at least 3 times. I think the headers were killing them. I didn't have a lift or any fancy tools so I learned to hate holding up that big heavy starter while fumbling around to get the bolts in! I never had a bolt break off there but had a few others (in harder to reach places) break on my Mopars. Never had an old Chevy long enough to replace anything but my Ford has had its moments.

Troy

[rp23g7]

I had to replace the starter in my first 68 Charger at least 3 times. I think the headers were killing them. I didn't have a lift or any fancy tools so I learned to hate holding up that big heavy starter while fumbling around to get the bolts in! I never had a bolt break off there but had a few others (in harder to reach places) break on my Mopars. Never had an old Chevy long enough to replace anything but my Ford has had its moments.

Troy

I have had a bunch of MoPars, and some Fords.   Worst job i can think of i have done on my Mopars is take the gas tanks off to do the floats, even now thats become easy.  I had a 64 Custom 880, i drove for 8 yrs, my parent bought new.  I cant remember ever doing the starter on it, my dad may have done it before though.  Never on my 67 Satellite, never on my 78 Chrylsler, never on my 71 Scamp, the Coronet has a mini starter on it.  I had a 79 LTD, worst car ever, but the starter always worked, 91 Ford F150, 125,000 before it got totaled never had a issue,  99 Explorer  119,000 no issues.

Chevys?   Wiper motor replaced on the 79, who had the idea to mount it there, and put the ground on the bolt hardest to get to?  Brake calipers???   Whos idea was it to mount the caliper on the front of the spindle and then put all the suspension stuff there too, Gotta be a contorsionist to get to the bleeder screw.  Dont get me started on battery cables.

[Back N Black]

Lack of driver maintance.   

[694spdRT]

Worst job i can think of i have done on my Mopars is take the gas tanks off to do the floats, even now thats become easy.  

Try putting a full time NP203 cast iron transfer case back in a '79 Ramcharger, on your back, without a floorjack. Then you can update your worst ever list.  

[FLG]

Worst job i can think of i have done on my Mopars is take the gas tanks off to do the floats, even now thats become easy.  

Try putting a full time NP203 cast iron transfer case back in a '79 Ramcharger, on your back, without a floorjack. Then you can update your worst ever list.  

How about a clutch on a Audi TT under the Brooklyn Qns Expressway??

[elacruze]

Worst job i can think of i have done on my Mopars is take the gas tanks off to do the floats, even now thats become easy.  

Try putting a full time NP203 cast iron transfer case back in a '79 Ramcharger, on your back, without a floorjack. Then you can update your worst ever list.  

Uh, if I told that story it would include something about collapsed lungs and a trip to the hospital.
I did install a Turbo 350 in a Chevy van alone on a creeper with a floor jack and a broken collarbone, though.

[rp23g7]

Worst job i can think of i have done on my Mopars is take the gas tanks off to do the floats, even now thats become easy.  

Try putting a full time NP203 cast iron transfer case back in a '79 Ramcharger, on your back, without a floorjack. Then you can update your worst ever list.  

OH, Oh, i probably did the same transfer case on a 70's International Scout, that thing must weigh 300 lbs, i was on my back too, with a jack too

[rp23g7]

Worst job i can think of i have done on my Mopars is take the gas tanks off to do the floats, even now thats become easy.  

Try putting a full time NP203 cast iron transfer case back in a '79 Ramcharger, on your back, without a floorjack. Then you can update your worst ever list.  

How about a clutch on a Audi TT under the Brooklyn Qns Expressway??

Yeah, that doesnt sound too fun.

[Chargerrtforme]

That's pretty bad for a car that's only 31 years old.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't like the bashing of GM and Ford. The big 3 all make good and bad stuff. In this case it's not th. 31 year old cars fault.  

[bobs66440]

Worst job i can think of i have done on my Mopars is take the gas tanks off to do the floats, even now thats become easy.  

Try putting a full time NP203 cast iron transfer case back in a '79 Ramcharger, on your back, without a floorjack. Then you can update your worst ever list.  

How about a clutch on a Audi TT under the Brooklyn Qns Expressway??

OMG!! Okay... you WIN!! 

[Khyron]

[sarcasim]That's pretty bad for a car that's only 31 years old.[/sarcasim]

fixed

[rp23g7]

That's pretty bad for a car that's only 31 years old.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't like the bashing of GM and Ford. The big 3 all make good and bad stuff. In this case it's not th. 31 year old cars fault.  

True, anything thats lasted 30+ years in america today deserves respect.  We all bash on Chevys and Fords cause we are MoPar guys, but i wouldnt pass up a 70 454SS if i had the money and it was low priced. 

I stopped to check out a completely stock looking 71 Pinto yesterday.  The thing was sharp. Bright Red with really nice interior.   They guy comes out of the store while i was looking at it, the Coronet is parked next to it.  They guy gives me a questionable look, "Whats Wrong"?  all worried.   I am just checking out your car.  "Really"?   Yeah pretty sharp looking Pinto, i tell him.   

He almost dies laughing.   "Wow. your driving this and you stop to look at my car"  We had the same conversation about 30+ yr old cars.

[1969chargerrtse]

That's pretty bad for a car that's only 31 years old.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't like the bashing of GM and Ford. The big 3 all make good and bad stuff. In this case it's not th. 31 year old cars fault.  

True, anything thats lasted 30+ years in america today deserves respect.  We all bash on Chevys and Fords cause we are MoPar guys, but i wouldnt pass up a 70 454SS if i had the money and it was low priced. 

I stopped to check out a completely stock looking 71 Pinto yesterday.  The thing was sharp. Bright Red with really nice interior.   They guy comes out of the store while i was looking at it, the Coronet is parked next to it.  They guy gives me a questionable look, "Whats Wrong"?  all worried.   I am just checking out your car.  "Really"?   Yeah pretty sharp looking Pinto, i tell him.   

He almost dies laughing.   "Wow. your driving this and you stop to look at my car"  We had the same conversation about 30+ yr old cars.

Oh yeah baby.  I had a 70 LS6 454/450hp.  Solid car, solid power. 

[bobs66440]

That's pretty bad for a car that's only 31 years old.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't like the bashing of GM and Ford. The big 3 all make good and bad stuff. In this case it's not th. 31 year old cars fault.  

True, anything thats lasted 30+ years in america today deserves respect.  We all bash on Chevys and Fords cause we are MoPar guys, but i wouldnt pass up a 70 454SS if i had the money and it was low priced.  

I stopped to check out a completely stock looking 71 Pinto yesterday.  The thing was sharp. Bright Red with really nice interior.   They guy comes out of the store while i was looking at it, the Coronet is parked next to it.  They guy gives me a questionable look, "Whats Wrong"?  all worried.   I am just checking out your car.  "Really"?   Yeah pretty sharp looking Pinto, i tell him.  

He almost dies laughing.   "Wow. your driving this and you stop to look at my car"  We had the same conversation about 30+ yr old cars.

Oh yeah baby.  I had a 70 LS6 454/450hp.  Solid car, solid power.  

Yeah, I don't care what you're into, if it's a bad ride, you're gonna like it. I had this '28 sedan a couple of years ago. It was a Ford with a 468ci BBC, weighed about 2500lbs., was reliable as a stone, stupid fast and plastered a huge grin on my face every time I mashed the loud pedal. Yep, I don't know too many guys that would hate that.

[chargergirl]

AAA cell phone...love you guys war stories.

[68blue]

Always remember replacing the starters in my dad's Mercury. He would grind them continiously until the car either started or something died . Winter of 1976 really, really, cold he burns the starter out so I get a replacement from NAPA. Get back to the farm, wind blowing, dark, 4-5 inches of snow on the ground. He wants the starter in tonight even though he is not going anywhere tomorrow . Take tools, starter, and a flashlight and start crawling under the car moving snow out of my way. Tuck the flashlight in the collar of my overalls and put the tools on the other side against my neck. You have to turn the wheel on the Merc just right to get the starter off the old 429. Always remember tucking my frozen hands against my collar bone to warm them up and then back to work. The old man is standing in front of the car looking down under the hood asking if I was done yet. After a brutal period of time I finish and he jumps in as soon as I connect the battery starts grinding away. I stop him and get starting fluid and get it started myself . he used to say that things like that  build character, I guess that's why my wife uses that term to describe me sometimes.     

[bobs66440]

I feel your pain. Back in '76 or '77 I had a '67 Chevelle that used to go through starters too. I too remember crawling in the cold wet driveway to change it over and over again. That thing would leave me stranded everywhere. I clearly remember you had to turn the starter one way, lift & turn another, then spin it and lift then drop it etc. etc. to get it in and out. It was so heavy to hold in an awkward position. My arm would get so tired from holding it that I would have to drop it, rest then try again. All the while with water and crap dripping in your face.

Ah yes, Good times, Good times....

Thankfully, for the most part, cars today are much more reliable and (hopefully) my kid won't have to go through that.

[rp23g7]

That's pretty bad for a car that's only 31 years old.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't like the bashing of GM and Ford. The big 3 all make good and bad stuff. In this case it's not th. 31 year old cars fault.  

True, anything thats lasted 30+ years in america today deserves respect.  We all bash on Chevys and Fords cause we are MoPar guys, but i wouldnt pass up a 70 454SS if i had the money and it was low priced.  

I stopped to check out a completely stock looking 71 Pinto yesterday.  The thing was sharp. Bright Red with really nice interior.   They guy comes out of the store while i was looking at it, the Coronet is parked next to it.  They guy gives me a questionable look, "Whats Wrong"?  all worried.   I am just checking out your car.  "Really"?   Yeah pretty sharp looking Pinto, i tell him.  

He almost dies laughing.   "Wow. your driving this and you stop to look at my car"  We had the same conversation about 30+ yr old cars.

Oh yeah baby.  I had a 70 LS6 454/450hp.  Solid car, solid power.  

Yeah, I don't care what you're into, if it's a bad ride, you're gonna like it. I had this '28 sedan a couple of years ago. It was a Ford with a 468ci BBC, weighed about 2500lbs., was reliable as a stone, stupid fast and plastered a huge grin on my face every time I mashed the loud pedal. Yep, I don't know too many guys that would hate that.

NICE ROD

[bobs66440]

That's pretty bad for a car that's only 31 years old.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't like the bashing of GM and Ford. The big 3 all make good and bad stuff. In this case it's not th. 31 year old cars fault.  

True, anything thats lasted 30+ years in america today deserves respect.  We all bash on Chevys and Fords cause we are MoPar guys, but i wouldnt pass up a 70 454SS if i had the money and it was low priced.  

I stopped to check out a completely stock looking 71 Pinto yesterday.  The thing was sharp. Bright Red with really nice interior.   They guy comes out of the store while i was looking at it, the Coronet is parked next to it.  They guy gives me a questionable look, "Whats Wrong"?  all worried.   I am just checking out your car.  "Really"?   Yeah pretty sharp looking Pinto, i tell him.  

He almost dies laughing.   "Wow. your driving this and you stop to look at my car"  We had the same conversation about 30+ yr old cars.

Oh yeah baby.  I had a 70 LS6 454/450hp.  Solid car, solid power.  

Yeah, I don't care what you're into, if it's a bad ride, you're gonna like it. I had this '28 sedan a couple of years ago. It was a Ford with a 468ci BBC, weighed about 2500lbs., was reliable as a stone, stupid fast and plastered a huge grin on my face every time I mashed the loud pedal. Yep, I don't know too many guys that would hate that.

NICE ROD

Thanks! It wasn't a very practical car, but it sure was fun to drive. I do miss it sometimes!!

[Brock Lee]

I do not participate in the childish 'brand loyalty" thing. Todays Dodge is different from yesterdays. I currently own Dodge, Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Jeep, Plymouth, and Ford products. I am happy with all of my choices. My 1969 Dodge Charger is my favorite vehicle period (and I have a lust for 1968-1970 Mopar B-Bodies), but it does not make me loyal to Mopar. I would rather have my Firebird Trans Am over a Dart any day.