can the starter motor be pulled out while im changing the engine mount?

[admir87]

hello all,

just in the process of attempting to change my left hand engine mount on the v6,

i need to do the starter aswell.... will it be easier to pull it out while ive got the engine mount and acc compressor out? instead of removing header or rack?

and also when i pull the engine mount out, will i have trouble fitting it back down in the crossmember hole for the studs?

[HICOMPVN]

ABSOBLOODYLUTLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! X2

you will have a good ol time trying to get it back in, have patience and heaps of time, can be a bit of a pain in the ass up and down on the engine crane/ jack.

[admir87]

ABSOBLOODYLUTLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! X2

you will have a good ol time trying to get it back in, have patience and heaps of time, can be a bit of a pain in the ass up and down on the engine crane/ jack.

so you think i wont have to remove header or rack to get the starter out... it will slide through the front where the acc sits?

[HICOMPVN]

yeah dude, but if you need more room, yeah take it off, rack is only 2 bolts, 5/16 i think fits good. just need to drop it out of the way a bit. a/c is a bitch to get out!!! the 2 bottom bolts are hard to get at without half the motor out, would look at not taking it (a/c)off.

[admir87]

yeah dude, but if you need more room, yeah take it off, rack is only 2 bolts, 5/16 i think fits good. just need to drop it out of the way a bit. a/c is a bitch to get out!!! the 2 bottom bolts are hard to get at without half the motor out, would look at not taking it (a/c)off.

ye i get where your coming from but i need to take it off(acc) as i have to replace the engine mount on that side... from what ive seen and heard you have to take the acc off to get to the engine mount nuts

[HICOMPVN]

yeah you do actually, just thinking sorry, cos the bracket is between the a/c and the block.

[admir87]

could anyone else confirm this?

[scozz76]

Yep, the compressor has to come off to replace passenger side mount. A prick of a job!!!!

[whitey66]

No,the compressor does not need to come off.
You can undo the nuts from underneath the vehicle with an open ended spanner.
I've probably done over 10 sets of engine mounts on VSs and never had to remove a compressor once,it only takes about an hour all up to do both mounts.
I have the luxury of doing it on a hoist though,if you're doing it on the ground in your backyard you'd probably find it easier to remove the compressor.
You'll find it much easier to line up if you loosen the bracket bolts and nuts on the other engine mount.Also remember that the new mount will be a lot higher than the old one because these shorten heaps with age,so you'll need to lift the engine higher than what you did to remove it.

[admir87]

No,the compressor does not need to come off.
You can undo the nuts from underneath the vehicle with an open ended spanner.
I've probably done over 10 sets of engine mounts on VSs and never had to remove a compressor once,it only takes about an hour all up to do both mounts.
I have the luxury of doing it on a hoist though,if you're doing it on the ground in your backyard you'd probably find it easier to remove the compressor.
You'll find it much easier to line up if you loosen the bracket bolts and nuts on the other engine mount.Also remember that the new mount will be a lot higher than the old one because these shorten heaps with age,so you'll need to lift the engine higher than what you did to remove it.

thanks heaps for that mate, great info....

a question, are the bolts on the top of the mount usually really tight on?

i am doing this off the ground in the driveway... think i should just pull the compressor off or try with an open end?

and will i be able to slide the starter through the gap where the mount sits? since i dont want to be pulling the rack off