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help

October 12, 2010, 04:00:20 PM

i need to know how to replace the starter on my 1988 ford thunderbird 3.8 V6. plz help so i can get my wife off my back. email me anything you have to massengale26@hotmail.com. I really need help fast!!!:punchballs:

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Reply #1 – October 12, 2010, 04:09:32 PM

It's pretty simple, remove the cable(s) (note where the go) remove the mounting bolts, put new starter in, re-attach cable(s)

Check out this link as well clivk on the "view diagram" picture.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1988-Ford-Thunderbird/Starter/_/N-ihygmZ93xl9?filterByKeyWord=Starter+motor&fromString=search

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Reply #2 – October 12, 2010, 09:09:53 PM

I changed on in an 87 cougar years ago, loosening off the one engine mount and jacking the engine up an inch or so made a world of difference. just remember to keep the wires out of the way when you lower the engine again :oops:

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Reply #3 – October 12, 2010, 10:42:16 PM

Go to walmart, buy a stanley twist ratchet. It will save you a bunch of time. On the v-6's, the bolts are harder to get to then the v-8's. I did mine through the fenderwell with a bunch of extenstions. Woblies are your friend here. I did not jack up the engine, or remove the motor mount.

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Reply #4 – October 13, 2010, 02:14:23 AM

Remember to unhook the POSITIVE battery cable first...
Buy a CHilton's or Haynes, they're usually pretty good about illustrating stuff such as this.

A starter isn't hard, just a tight fit, but if you're patient, have some decent tools and a dexterous hand, you'll do alright.

Remember the battery cable...I'm scarred because I one time I didn't. Hell, I usually unhook the POS. cable if I do much more than change the oil or coolant etc.
Hard habit to break since I caught an oily shirt sleeve on fire once.

:flame:

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Reply #5 – October 15, 2010, 04:15:36 PM

there is a bar that runs from one side of the k-member to the other that is in the way (or was on my 5.0). removing it made a world of difference changing my starter

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Reply #6 – October 15, 2010, 05:03:16 PM

Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;339221

Remember to unhook the POSITIVE battery cable first...
Buy a CHilton's or Haynes, they're usually pretty good about illustrating stuff such as this.

A starter isn't hard, just a tight fit, but if you're patient, have some decent tools and a dexterous hand, you'll do alright.

Remember the battery cable...I'm scarred because I one time I didn't. Hell, I usually unhook the POS. cable if I do much more than change the oil or coolant etc.
Hard habit to break since I caught an oily shirt sleeve on fire once. :flame:

You are smart not to work on electrical stuff without disconnecting the battery.
But it is safer to disconnect the NEGATIVE battery cable. Accidentally grounding the positive battery terminal with your wrench can be dangerous.

Disconnecting the negative cable has the same effect as disconnecting the positive cable. It takes the battery out of the picture.