OK, I really need some help here. I have read every other post about this. I needed to replace my starter in my 86 Z28. I had done it before in my Grand Am which was simple as could be so thought, what the heck, I can do the one in the camaro as well and save $150. So, I tackled it, got out all the bolts and the strap and was under there for 2 hours trying to get the thing out because the exhaust is in the way.

I read every single post I could find and most of them say to remove the Y pipe? What is this and how do you remove it? I know I sound retarded but my knowledge of cars is limited and I am a small sized woman who does not bench press or work out so my strength is limited as well. (It was a real chore to maneuver that big fat starter for so long)

So, please, if you have any idea exactly what position I have to get this thing in to get it out, let me know. Or let me know what I have to remove and exactly how so I can get this thing out. Ive really gotten myself into a bit of trouble here since I thought it would be a 30 minute job and its been 2 days and I NEED to drive the car tomorrow. Im really in over my head here. PLEASE RESPOND. A thousand Thank yous!!!

y pipe is the Large exhaust tubing coming of the exhaust manifolds Notice itll go into a Y then into the catylitic converter , I havent done a starter in my car before so i cant help with procedure wise

all i can say is good luck with that and be careful you dont snap the exhaust manifold bolts to the y-pipe .......if you do then your in a world of hurt

You might be able to wiggle it out, but geting the new one in sucks! The exaust pipe it in the way. Spray the manifold bolts with pb blaster or what ever. Remove the manifold bolts both sides they might break. I broke the passengers side, (went to auto shop and they but new ones on) and pull the pipe down. Thats what I did on mt 86 Iroc.

Remove the solenoid while the starter is still impossible to get out, then you'll have enough room to barely wiggle it out. You'll have to do the same for the new one as well.

You could always do a sump gasket change at the same time. You should have enough room to remove the starter without the sump in the way.

That english for oil pan?

I imagine since she has limited strength that will probably be her only option. Those exhaust bolts dont come out very easily at all!

am i missing something here?? or are differnent years y pipes that different, i just did a starter this spring on my 305 and it came out and in super easy. without droping off the y pipe at all.

You and me both. I removed mine from the '86 TPI a couple years ago just to freshen it up, relube, etc. All I did was pull the battery ground, then the wires at the starter, the support bracket, and the two bolts. Down she came. ¿Perhaps the pipe design changed?

perhaps the engine is sitting too low, due to worn out motor mounts, i would try to jack up the engine slightly off the harmonic balancer and a 2x4 under it to see if that 1/2 inch will help you out or not.

I have no clue with the stock exhaust. I have longtube headers on mine and it was super easy to do up on the hoist (probably just as easy on the ground) it just fell right out, no wiggling required. Took maybe 15min...

Mine is stock exhausxt.

Excellent point by xpndbl3 on the possibility of the engine having settled on the mounts.

If you have different than stock exhaust/headers/y-pipe, you may just have to pull em to get it out. Otherwise on every thirdgen I've worked on its been the same tricky "drop/jiggle/slips out from above the exhaust in just the right way".

It doesn't seem possible until you get it done, my first attempt on my wifes 305 took 2 hours until I took a break, got back underneath and just happened to move it to the right spot almost straight away. It almost hit me in the face. I can get one out in under 5 minutes and I have yet to find one (even with different exhaust and headers) that just would not come out, and I've never had to pull the exhaust.

Try lifting the motor a bit as above, should at least help to get some clearance.

i got a compliment from vader....i'm definately going to sleep well tonight knowing the world is a safer place.

Yes....

Sometimes I forget where I am

I changed the starter on my brother's 86 305 TPi and I had to pull rather liberally on the stock exhaust y-pipe after undoing all the bolts. I almost had to remove the oil sum..pan (!) but just about managed.

Going thru the same thing myself, putting a starter on my 350 85 Camaro with stock Y-pipe. Seems to help if you just turn drop the starter onto the exhaust pipe, move it forward as much as you can, then turn the solenoid against the block and raise the front of the starter up as high as you can. The back should just clear the pipe and fall right out of there.
It worked for me twice, hope this helps.