Just FYI. Over the past several weeks my 400 daily started making a "ring da ding a ding a ding ding ding ring a ling a ding" sound. I figured it was the starter rubbing on the ring gear. After several hours of pulling apart the right side I was able to remove the starter. The solenoid was packed with dirt and rust preventing it from allowing the pinion gear to retreat. After cleaning it up and half a can of WD-40, it's good as 'new'.
The simplest route to removing the starter is from under the car..Remove 1/2 of the exhaust manifold with a SHORT 8mm/9mm combo wrench..VERY IMPORTANT..remove the exhaust end bolts first..this removes the tension on the upper end bolts..this is the S O P method...Also..why not just replace the original starter with the smaller and stronger starter..$450 and ten minutes..I had my starter re-built by a local old timer shop..the armiture was toast so they fabricated one... how about that..the part is NLA..if I had known about the newer starters at the time I would have bought it..The original starter now sells for $1200 smackers used..If you still want to stay stock..I'll sell you mine for a mere Grand..LOL..and then I'll buy the new one..by the way..the rebuilt one is still a wimp even with a new solinoid..hope this helps..Jacques.
Close. Right air filter housing with fuel distributor, heat shield, rear exhaust manifold, starter heat shield. Then the started pops right out, sort of. The battery tray and washer bag can stay. jacques, working from the underside is a pain because of the heat shields. If you reach under the air box and remove the three bolts from the main heat shield, its still in your way. As for the bolts, on mine the block to manifold bolts are 13mm. As for the starter, it works perfectly. I was impressed by the build quality so I'll stick with it.
Sure, that's ok, but as a general rule of thumb anything you touch on these tends to become a project itself.
It's not that bad, yeah it's a good idea to take your time with these/one thing leads to another.....but I'd have to say removing the battery has been the easiest task---seriously, a couple of min. & Bamm, all kinds of thing come into view.
