Roaring Starter

[myoldjalopy]

Wednesday I started up the car fine, went to the beach for a swim. When I returned to the car, the starter motor made an unusual roaring noise, although the old girl fired up as usual. When I got home I took a look and noticed one of the starter motor cover plate screws was loose, so I went to tighten it, only to find the oil filter casing was in the way! I tightened it up using a coin as a screwdriver and its fine now. I would have preferred to have got it a bit tighter and I wonder if it may work loose again, in which case I will have to take the starter out to tighten the screw properly (or, if it lasts until next oil change, nip it up while the filter bowl is off).
My question is whether you need to remove the dizzy to remove the starter. Haynes says yes, but removal of the dizzy is not mentioned in any other manual I have. I have done this before but so long ago I can't remember!

[Murrayminor]

You can remove the starter without touching the Distributor, the bolts for the starter are set at 12 and 6 O'clock position.

[philthehill]

You do not have to remove the distributor as a precursor to removing the starter motor. It may be easier if the distributer is removed though.

You do need to fully tighten the two screws holding the starter motor ends to the body as those two screws are all that holds the starter together.

[jagnut66]

As above, you don't have to touch the distributor to remove the starter motor.

I once removed a failed starter motor in Tesco's car park and replaced it with a spare I had, without even jacking the car up!
Good old Moggies! (Lovely standard ground clearance!)
As you have probably guessed though, the Tesco in question was walking distance from where I was living at the time.
Still, no jacks required and definitely no interference with the distributor......
Best wishes,
Mike.

[myoldjalopy]

Thanks chaps. I'll keep an eye on it (and an ear open as well ). Was fine all yesterday.

[kennatt]

If you clamped a stubby screwdriver with mole grips you should be able to get it tight enough

[myoldjalopy]

First thing I tried was a stubby screwdriver but quickly saw there was no room for it between motor and oil filter housing! Nor space for a ratchet fitted with a screwdriver bit.....