1984 merc 488 starter id & removal

[richardk5457]

gentlemen, 1984 merc 4 cylinder 488 starter gone bad. too coroded to id what type. merc cruiser dealer has no idea what it may be until removed. removal is tough any comments on getting at back stud nuts. appreciate your input. thank you richard

[spareparts]

its either going to be a Ford style starter or a GM style, if it has a slave selenoid on it, its the GM style(later model), if it doesn't have a selenoid mounted to the starter housing, it will be a Ford style(early style). Earlier versions had the starter bolted in place using two short studs mounted in the bellhousing, if you have this type, might as well remove the heat exchanger so you can get a wrench on the nuts, I cut and bent a wrench to fit them, but it took a while to make. The later style mounting studs were actually long bolts and went all the way thru the bell housing and came out the back side(feel around the back side of the bell housing for the heads of the bolts), just put a wrench on the starter side nuts and spin the bolt heads on the back side of the bell housing