The starter stud and bolt for a 1988 Dakota 3.9 is a 7/16-14 thread into the bell housing.

And the stud works better on the top so you can slip the starter on and let that support it while you're getting everything else threaded and torqued.

And ... they do stock bolts to suit at Advance, for when the bolt falls out and your truck won't stop because the starter motor is hanging in the air.

Not that I have personal knowledge of that or anything ... *ahem*

RwP

 

Did the hanging starter take out a brake line or what?

 

Are you using the old style large Starter or the newer smaller starter? On mine, 4wd, it was a bear swapping the orig. One in there. My next one will be the smaller one. Ain't fighting that battle again.

 

That's on a par with sticking a screwdriver into an over pressurized dunnage bag in a rail car that's been humped. Push the valve in and release pressure first.

 

For all above -

1) Nope, didn't hit any brake lines; it was actually hanging on the stud, which the engine assemblers back when put UNDER the starter.

2) OEM sized; and yes. On my list (for after the body work and paint if possible!) is a new high torque starter to get something I can work in and out when necessary. But. I'll have to do the valve cover gaskets AGAIN (damn gaskets leak like sieves at the back!)

3) I wouldn't know, but I'd trust in venting ANY bag.

RwP

 

Hey Ralph,
Wanted to share my last blunder, (that I know about)
See anything wrong with this seal?

 

Seal looks backward to me.

If not, is it driven in too far?

RwP

 

Yep, backwards... That was fun changing out with the engine already bolted in.

 

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