you can see it with a flash light looking down thru the intake manifold, it's a pita tho.

 

Hate to bump a 5 year old thread, but...

Has anyone run into an issue with the lower bolt not going back in? I'm changing from an F20 to F22 (using the starter and bolts from the F20) and the bolt gets about 4 threads from bottom and stops. 40+ lb ft of torque doesn't move it, impact doesn't move it, always backs out cleanly though. I don't want to destroy the bolt so I'm leery of putting more torque into it.

Thoughts?

 

If you can wait till the am, ill post the exact bolt lengths.

 

The lower bolt is 40mm, the upper is 80mm, both 10x1.25. I ended up running a tap through the hole and that cleaned it up, but now the 40mm won't tighten up. Gets to where it contacts the starter flange and basically just spins. But I can run the 80mm bolt in quite a bit further. Doesn't make any sense.

 

There's your sign. Mine screeches bad, and I will be swapping it out next weekend.

It won't screech anymore once the motor is really warm, but I don't think the advice of "just wait till it dont start no more" is good advice. Unless you want to be stranded somewhere...You can get rebuilt or used ones for under 100.

 

once you hear the screeching noise, you can eventually ruin your flywheel as well. my starter is screeching as well...going to replace it in 2 weeks when i have time

 

so the sound that sounds like i just miss shifted the sh*t out of my car when i start it is my starter going out? lovely, kinda figured so! I saw a metal starter gear for sale on a website, any use in that? or just get a rebuilt? what causes this to happen so i can avoid it once i replace?

 

Is this ehowarticle over-simplified? This sounds much easier than the OP's write-up.

Also, is it necessary to remove an aftermarket intake since it protrudes further from the engine?

 

That ehow is retarted. That is the procedure for the ALTERNATOR!

I assure you that you are not getting the starter out with out going under the car.

 

I wish the starter was that easy to remove.