Carpokes

I did some reading about starter removal and thought I was prepared. Apparently there is an early vs late starter heat shield attached to the starter. The early shield must be removed before you can remove the starter from the car. The shield is a little tricky to remove because there is a bolt ABOVE the starter. The later version is much easier, though.

I don't recall reading much about early vs late starter heat shields, so mentioning it here.

I think I will get a later style shield for my 87 to make removal / installation easier going forward.

Old Style vs New Style

Let me know if you have trouble fitting a socket on one of the bolts with the newer style heat shield. I find it's a tight fit and a wrench has to be used which doesn't allow a real good "bite" IMO. The later cars were fitted with an Allen head bolt & I've wondered if this is the reason why.

Tom
'87 951

Hi Tom, Thanks for letting me know about that. I removed my 87 starter today. This was possible by doing some mild bending and persuasion of the heat shield which was still attached to the torque tube.

What is the "proper" Porsche procedure for removing the 86 and 87 starters? Does Porsche really want you to unbolt one of the torque tube bolts to remove the heat shield prior to removing the starter?

chrischrischris wrote: Tue Apr 07, 2026 8:49 am Hi Tom, Thanks for letting me know about that. I removed my 87 starter today. This was possible by doing some mild bending and persuasion of the heat shield which was still attached to the torque tube.

What is the "proper" Porsche procedure for removing the 86 and 87 starters? Does Porsche really want you to unbolt one of the torque tube bolts to remove the heat shield prior to removing the starter?

?? I have an '86 and have never had that problem? I guess I have the early version of the shield...?

The early version has five mounting bolts: two on the rear of the starter, one on the Torque Tube, and two on the bellhousing. The later has three: the same two on the rear of the starter and the third is one of the main starter mounting bolts.

I've actually never worked on a car with the early style heat shield & didn't realize it uses one of the torque tube bolts! Sounds like the later style is significantly easier to R&R!

Mine was originally missing & the dealer only sells the later style. I just know for me, that one main mounting bolt is a tad tricky to remove since the shield is so close. Here's a pic from an '89 showing the allen bolt that I believe should go with the late style shield. Tom
'87 951