The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hi all, I'm new to the forum, having just bought an 1850 auto non runner. The starter is stuffed, but came with a spare, but I'm not sure if I can get it off without removing the exhaust manifold.. Is that right or is it possible without... I guess there's 2 bolts or is there 3?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks
Alan

You shouldn't need to remove the manifold or exhaust pipe. You will need to raise the front of the car on either ramps or support it safetly on axle stands - not just a jack! Get underneath and the lower bolt can be accessed easily enough. The top one will need a long extension for your socket and ratchet, I use a long extension + a short one to reach. By working across the top of the starter between the starter itself and the underneath of the manifold you can undo the top bolt. There are usually 2 bolts holding it on an 1850.

You need to use a 3/8" drive to get onto the top nut - it should be nuts on studs. You need a long extension and use the ratchet in the gap between front of engine and radiator.

When refitting the top nut pack the socket with grease to hold the nut and you can 'feel' it onto the stud. If you struggle, removing the blower motor from the bulkhead will allow you to get a finger onto the top stud.

Thanks both for quick replies.. Just the job.

Cheers
Alan

Is the starter motor definitely toast? The inhibitor switch could be faulty or there could be a bad connection at the multiplug connection at the top of the bellhousing. Another possibility is a badly adjusted selector lever. If the reverse lights come on when R is selected then the selector lever is adjusted correctly. A continuity test with a multimeter is the best way of testing the inhibitor switch and the wiring.

Good question.. The chap who sold it said it was faulty and it came with a spare. That said he spare needed a bit of tic to get it working. The car has been standing for 12 years, so it could be toast. I'm new to automatics, so didn't even realise there was more to it!

Have yet to get the starter off, so I'll take a look at the points that you raised.

Thanks a lot.

Cheers

Starter now off and replacement back on... Thanks for the posts. Foe anyone else in the future, it looked impossible at first, but once done its relatively straightforward albeit a bit fiddly.

Thanks again.