rbryant
12-02-2008, 03:19 AM
I just got around to fitting my starter onto the SRT4 block. The larger oil return passage on the back of the block makes things a bit of a pain.
I didn't want to grind the block so I modified the starter to fit.
Mods:
The bottom of the starter casting hit the block in an area where the casting wasn't doing anything so I ground it away...
The top side hits on the motor bolt so I made a strap (I should remake the strap it because I stretched it when tightening things up but you get the idea. It is just some pipe hanger that i had around.)
11423
Back of Block:
Notice that there are 3/8 NPT plugs in the oil and coolant passages here. You can also see the TD oil block and a tee for the turbo coolant line and SRT oil preheater (cooler).
There isn't room for the stock return tube so I tapped the block for 1/2" NPT.
11429
Installed:
11424
Topside:
11426
Tranny Side:
I used one of my tranny dust shields to mock up the starter position. You can see that they fit nicely and fill in any gaps with this setup.
11427
Back Side:
11428
Oil Drain closeup:
I plan on putting a 45 degree -10 AN fitting for the oil return. This tapped pretty hard so it would be worth it to have a machinist do it... I didn't have a 23/32" drill bit so I used a more common 11/16". I couldn't get it started so I drilled down about 1/16" with a 3/4" just to get it started and then it went much more smoothly... It still took me more time than I would like to admit to get it started squarely (probably 45mins to an hour overall to tap this stupid hole). Oh BTW notice that there is no room for a T handle that can handle a 1/2" NPT tap in there so you have to do it with a couple of end wrenches on each side unless you have a much nicer set of taps than I have...
Of course this should also be done when the engine is rebuilt and can be tanked afterwards to get rid of any stray metal filings.
It might be possible to drop the pan, plug up areas around where you are tapping and clean things up really well but I would never admit to doing something risky and crazy like that... Either way it makes lots of metal shavings so do this at your own risk and be careful if you are attempting this without a full rebuild.
11425
-
I didn't want to grind the block so I modified the starter to fit.
Mods:
The bottom of the starter casting hit the block in an area where the casting wasn't doing anything so I ground it away...
The top side hits on the motor bolt so I made a strap (I should remake the strap it because I stretched it when tightening things up but you get the idea. It is just some pipe hanger that i had around.)
11423
Back of Block:
Notice that there are 3/8 NPT plugs in the oil and coolant passages here. You can also see the TD oil block and a tee for the turbo coolant line and SRT oil preheater (cooler).
There isn't room for the stock return tube so I tapped the block for 1/2" NPT.
11429
Installed:
11424
Topside:
11426
Tranny Side:
I used one of my tranny dust shields to mock up the starter position. You can see that they fit nicely and fill in any gaps with this setup.
11427
Back Side:
11428
Oil Drain closeup:
I plan on putting a 45 degree -10 AN fitting for the oil return. This tapped pretty hard so it would be worth it to have a machinist do it... I didn't have a 23/32" drill bit so I used a more common 11/16". I couldn't get it started so I drilled down about 1/16" with a 3/4" just to get it started and then it went much more smoothly... It still took me more time than I would like to admit to get it started squarely (probably 45mins to an hour overall to tap this stupid hole). Oh BTW notice that there is no room for a T handle that can handle a 1/2" NPT tap in there so you have to do it with a couple of end wrenches on each side unless you have a much nicer set of taps than I have...
Of course this should also be done when the engine is rebuilt and can be tanked afterwards to get rid of any stray metal filings.
It might be possible to drop the pan, plug up areas around where you are tapping and clean things up really well but I would never admit to doing something risky and crazy like that... Either way it makes lots of metal shavings so do this at your own risk and be careful if you are attempting this without a full rebuild.
11425
-