Is it even possible? (haha) Between the block, exhaust pipe, frame, and torsion bar, the ultra-heavy starter motor is wedged in like a g-string in Kim Kardashian's butt crack. The repair manual is of no help whatsoever.  Do you have to disconnect the exhaust pipe from the manifold?  Those bolts weren't budging - even with a breaker bar.  Anybody done this?

Not a great design.  There was a thread once about what design changes people would make to the FL cars.  I think the master cylinder beneath the brake booster was the most vexing.  I'd have to put this in as well!

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Thanks Sid and Nathan.  I'll figure out a way.  The worst of it is, I think the starter works fine.  I want to replace the solenoid!  I should have looked at your thread, Nathan!  I did a search in titles and couldn't get a hit.

I'll put in a link to your thread, just in case anyone else is having the same problem.  Bottom of page 1

Do you think removal of the access panel under the brake pedal would allow me to get it out through the passenger compartment?

Hallelujah!  I took Marc's advice and soaked the exhaust pipe bolts with PB Blaster and hit em with a big ol' breaker bar and got both bolts off.  I was able to move the exhaust pipe just enought that I could BARELY squeeze the starter motor out.  Removing the MC and linkage looked really difficult, but that was plan B.

I bought a new solenoid and plunger kit from Vintage Auto Garage.  It didn't come with any instructions.

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A few questions:

1. It did not come with an internal spring - should I install the spring from the old solenoid?
2. Should I use any grease for the plunger?
3. I don't know what the disks are for, but I think assembly is something like this diagram I created.  Reasonable?

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Thanks, Ralf.  I will assemble and bench test.  I didn't know if there was some sort of electrostatic grease, but I'll go bareback and see what happens.

A bit better assembly diagram:

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Thanks everyone for your help. 'Twas still a huge pain to get the motor back in and tighten the mounting bolt and nut, but it's done and the De Soto is running and driving again. One curious thing: the negative battery kill switch seems to have failed during the process. I'm not sure if it is related to the coil problem or just coincidence. I did not know those things could malfunction or break! At any rate, I hope that's the last time I will ever have to remove the starter motor. One more spring to add to the diagram.

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