Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting 95 Contour Starter Mounts: Problem #1: Crossover

Hi All.
Firstly, let me say thanks for establishing this site. I intend to support and contribute, but for now I need advice.

I need to replace my ( SIEZED I think) starter in my 95 Contour with 2.5L Duratek. I bought a Haynes manual and it thinks the mounting bolts are "on top" of the starter. After about 2 hours of searching, I think I found the mounting bolts, one on each side, pointing up, below the starter, and located on a mounting support next to an alignment pin. Is this correct?

If these are the mounting bolts, then is there any way to remove the bolt closest to the front of the engine, with removing the coolant "crossover"? The bolt seems to be completely obscured by this tube, and I've no instructions for removing this tube in the manual I bought.

Man, the clearance is TIGHT! If the crossover comes off then I'm sure I can do the job, but some help would be appreciated.

Next I'll tell you why I'm pulling the starter.
I'll check back today, and I encourage all replies to be posted here, but an email would be OK too.

Pete

OK, I got the starter off, and yes those were the starter mounting bolts. Dang Haynes manual. I had to remove all the hoses from the crossover tube, disconnect the thermostat and move it away, disconnect electrical to the coolant sensor, and the electrical harness that runs UNDER the starter. Finally a wrench fit in there. What a PITA.

Now I can get the starter tested. If the starter is good, that's bad news, because it means my engine siezed for absolutely no good reason at 82,000 miles.

Pete