New Starter, Oil Change

While continuing to troubleshoot my car’s electrical issues, I decided to replace the starter. The car refused to start a few times earlier this year, probably due to a weak battery, and/or weak poor connections. This would give me an opportunity to clean and tighten the starter wiring, along with upgrade to a lower amperage starter. The new starter also weighs several pounds less than the stock Paris-Rhone starter. I purchased a compatible, rebuilt starter with a lifetime warranty. I would have preferred new over rebuilt, but these starters aren’t being manufactured anymore. Unfortunately, the core charge of $40 would be non-refundable, since the new starter is not the same unit as the stock Paris-Rhone starter. I also wanted to keep the stock starter for any future problems or projects.

I was able to complete at my club’s local tech session, on a car lift! I unfortunately didn’t get many pictures, since time was running short for my car’s work.

The oil filter limits access and removal of the starter. Time for an oil change, which is good because I haven’t changed the oil since 2016?!?! Anyway, the starter is relatively easy to remove. It bolts to the bellhousing with three 13mm bolts. After disconnecting the wiring, I unbolted it from the bellhousing. With some assistance, and some pinched fingers on my helper, the starter was out. Here it is with the new starter:

Pics courtesy of Tom S

The stock wiring setup has three positive cables terminating on two positive posts. The starter solenoid had two wires bundled together onto a terminal, and another wire connected with a bullet connector:

I stacked all the positive cables onto one positive post. All the solenoid wires can be connected and terminated at the small post. I was able to crimp them all together with a ring terminal:

The car started on the first try. The new starter makes a fun “WHEEE” noise.
This is my last oil filter from a 6-pack I purchased with SpecialTAuto.com in 2008. SpecialTAuto’s owner passed away in 2019. Rest in Peace, Mr. Hervey.

Current Mileage: 35,699
That’s it for the 2021 driving season. I probably won’t have the car out of the garage until 2022.

Costs: