New Starter, Oil Change

While continuing to troubleshoot my car’s electrical issues, I decided to replace the starter. Earlier this year, the car failed to start a few times—likely due to a weak battery and/or poor connections. Replacing the starter gave me a chance to clean and tighten the wiring, while also upgrading to a lower-amperage unit. The replacement starter is several pounds lighter than the stock Paris-Rhone model. I bought a compatible rebuilt starter with a lifetime warranty. I would have preferred a new one, but these are no longer manufactured. The $40 core charge was non-refundable, since the new starter isn’t the same model as the original Paris-Rhone. I also chose to keep the stock starter in case I need it for future troubleshooting or projects.

I completed the swap at my club’s local tech session using a lift. Unfortunately, I didn’t get many pictures because time was running short on my work session.

The oil filter made removal a bit tricky, so I decided it was also time for an oil change—which, embarrassingly, I hadn’t done since 2016?!?! Otherwise, the starter is relatively easy to remove. It bolts to the bellhousing with three 13mm bolts. After disconnecting the wiring, I unbolted it and, with a little help (and a few pinched fingers on my helper), the starter came out. Here it is next to the replacement:

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: