How to Take Off the Starter on an 85 Ford F250

The Ford F-250 was introduced with the second generation F-series trucks in 1953. The 1985 F-250 was equipped with a 4.9-liter V-6 engine in the base model. There were a total of nine different engines available for the 1985 F-250, including a 4.9-liter V-6 that was fueled by propane. The starter on the 1985 F-250 should be removed and replaced, if found to be faulty. Some other components must be removed in order to access the starter. This project should not be attempted by someone without prior mechanical knowledge and skills.

Instructions

Raise the front end of the F-250 by driving it onto vehicle ramps. Do not attempt this project with a jack or jack stands when removing components to access the starter, due to the heavy amount of movement that will be created. Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires of the F-250.

Use a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket to loosen the positive battery cable tie-down, then remove the positive battery cable from the battery completely.

Lay beneath the front bumper of the truck and slide your body into position to access the starter and surrounding components. The starter is located on the driver's side, at the bottom of the engine, where the engine and transmission are joined.

Remove the steering idler arm bolts, which protrude directly beneath the starter. Use a 1/2-inch drive ratchet and socket to remove the bolts that hold the idler arm to the frame of the truck. A larger ratchet will provide you with the greater torque needed to remove the frame-mounted bolts for the idler arm.

Place a tab of masking tape on both wires that lead to the starter. Mark the tabs on the wires that protrude from the starter in a manner that will allow you to remember the order in which the wires connect to the starter.

Remove the wire tie-down nuts from the posts on the starter, using a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket. Remove the wires from the starter completely. Remove the starter mounting bolts, using the same ratchet and socket. Place your hand beneath the starter as you begin removal of the second bolt -- the starter is heavy and will fall downward once the second bolt is removed. Do not let the starter fall freely from the truck. Remove the starter from the truck, by hand, once you have removed the mounting bolts.

Install the starter against its mounting surface, in front of the transmission. Slightly twist the starter from right to left, to ensure that the teeth on the starter are aligned properly with the flywheel on the truck. Install the starter mounting bolts and begin threading the bolts, by hand, until they are about halfway into their holes.

Tighten the starter mounting bolts between 12 and 15 foot-pounds if there are only two mounting bolts. Tighten the starter mounting bolts between 15 and 20 foot-pounds if there are three mounting bolts. Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and socket to tighten the bolts.

Install the wires onto the posts protruding from the starter, in the order in which they came off the starter. Tighten the wire tie-down nuts onto the starter, using a ratchet and socket, until the nuts are snug. Do not torque the wire tie-down nuts, or you will damage the internal components of the starter.

Install the steering idler arm back against the frame of the truck, and insert the mounting bolts. Start the mounting bolts into their holes, by hand. Tighten the mounting bolts between 28 and 35 foot-pounds of torque, using the torque wrench and socket.

Install the positive battery cable onto the battery, and snug the battery tie-down nut with a ratchet and socket. Do not torque the battery tie-down nut. Remove the chocks from behind the rear tires, then drive the truck off the vehicle ramps.